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Landmark at Clockwork Orange site may be replaced

News imageWildstone Estates Ltd/Tate + Co Current advertising structure shows screen in orb on roundabout with cars, bus and lorryWildstone Estates Ltd/Tate + Co
The current structure is 25m (82ft) tall

A south London landmark above an underpass which featured in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange could be replaced.

The circular advertising structure at the centre of Wandsworth Roundabout has become a local landmark since its installation in 1995, but it could be replaced with a timber tree-inspired structure under plans submitted to Wandsworth Council.

The roughly 25m-high (82ft) new structure would have four advertising boards, like the original, which would be slightly bigger.

Advertising specialists Wildstone Estates put forward the plans in a bid to increase revenue generation at the site, after acquiring the structure last year under a long lease with Transport for London (TfL).

The firm designed the proposals with architects Tate + Co.

An underpass beneath the roundabout was featured at the start of Kubrick's 1971 film A Clockwork Orange.

News imageWildstone Estates Ltd/Tate + Co CGI image of advertising board on large beige and brown structure with cars in foreground on roundaboutWildstone Estates Ltd/Tate + Co
The proposed replacement would look like this

But residents have criticised the plans across 86 objections so far on the council's website, with one writing: "It's extremely ugly and unneeded in the area. Another eyesore in Wandsworth for no good reason. What a waste of money."

Another said: "I strongly object to the new structure. The current one is iconic, it has been perfectly and recently improved with the dark paint. It is clean and simple.

"The new design is garish, will not age well design or materials wise, and also a complete waste of money."

Planning documents said: "The redesign of Wandsworth Roundabout is an opportunity to rethink a vital layer of London's advertising infrastructure, and redefine how such structures can enrich their surroundings.

"The proposals seek to reuse the existing foundations, with there being no significant increase in scale and the screen sizes remaining as existing."

Wildstone and Tate + Co have been contacted for comment.

Wandsworth Council will decide on the plans in due course.

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