White Cube art boss bids to convert disused warehouse: Gallery planned for Bermondsey

A disused Bermondsey warehouse could become the next new gallery under the White Cube umbrella of art dealer Jay Jopling.

A planning application has been lodged by MYJ Services Ltd, White Cube's company name, to turn 2,278 square metres of warehouse into art gallery and exhibition spaces.

Residents were invited to hear of the plans before Southwark council began consultations on the project.

Officers are due to make a recommendation within weeks but the final decision will be taken by councillors. If the go-ahead is given, the new space would be the third in Mr Jopling's current portfolio.

The influential Old Etonian represents a number of artists, including Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Jake and Dinos Chapman and his own ex-wife Sam Taylor-Wood.

His first gallery, which no longer exists, was a small White Cube in Duke Street which he opened in 1993.

He then became part of the artists' takeover of the East End with White Cube in Hoxton Square before opening his third space in the heart of Mayfair, in Mason's Yard.

The latest application also requests permission to erect a single-storey side extension and loading bay to the rear of the large and airy building, formerly the Recall warehouse.

A spokeswoman for Mr Jopling declined to discuss the plans.

Three years ago councillors rejected a planning application for a giant housing development on the site.

Residents including actor Rory Kinnear packed council meetings to object to the proposal for a seven-storey development.