Once again Foxtons has become the subject of a campaign by those against it opening a new branch - and this time one of the chief opponents is another estate agent.
Some local residents and small businesses complain that the West Hampstead area already has 29 property-related offices including one - Dutch & Dutch - owned by the same family since the 1940s.
However Dutch & Dutch's David Matthews, who is on the committee of the West Hampstead Business Association, says there are now too many agents in the locality.
He says the plethora of property firms leads to decreasing local footfall and artificially inflating prices and that Foxtons is the wrong company for the area.
A local clergyman and an online community forum have also come out against the application, with the latter - westhampsteadlife.com - saying that objectors have to hope that planners at Camden Council dismiss Foxtons' application justifications as nonsense and instead realise that another estate agent on a street that already has about a dozen instead contributes to the creeping homogenisation of the town centre and adds very little to what is already a crowded market.
The planning documentation submitted on behalf of Foxtons by central London chartered surveyors Montago Evans, and seen by Estate Agent Today, includes the statement: the occupation of the unit by Foxtons would contribute to the vitality and viability of the town centre as it would generate activity within the unit. Indeed, as opposed to some A2 uses (such as betting shops), Foxtons' branch concept is to have a modern, caf-style, open environment where people can see activity within the branch from outside.
The statement is followed by a CGI of how the now-familiar Foxtons brightly-lit green and yellow office format would look on the site.
Consultation on the application, which would see Foxtons occupy the basement and ground floor of the site, runs until September 9.
Comments
I see no reason for this objection, being a feared competitor has no bearing on planning
Just goes to prove agents will say anything to get their foot in the door! Now where have I heard that before
No agent wants Foxtons in town - in reality is because they are scared they will be crushed and nothing to do with 'footfall' - why should agents in West Hampstead get 'ring-fenced' from competition No one else has had that luxury. Typical of the people in West Hampstead perhaps - but in truth, once the green marketing machine rolls in with 0% commission, 30 negs, a fleet of branded mini's and the promise of higher sales prices, they will flock in their droves as they have done everywhere else where Foxtons are unwanted. And whatever Mr Matthews position on the Business association is, he has a vested interest in denying the application and as such his views are biased. In my experience, Foxtons will be in West Hampstead sooner rather than later. Good luck chaps.
Foxtons seems to want to take over the whole of London. For such an unpopular brand, you have to admire their persistence and stubbornness.
Foxtons are dreadful. My wife and I tried their services three times in Islington and Clerkenwell. No service as such, only high unsubstantiated fees. Employees are stressed, arrogant and pushy. The less of them in London, the better.
No different to McDonalds not wanting a Burger King next door. I wouldn't want a Foxtons on my doorstep either, but then it's not my decision is it.