NOTE - this is the 2016 version of this campaign page; it has been supplemented and partly superseded by the 2017 version.
The 'One Housing' group has submitted a planning application to convert a light industrial site into a high-density housing development. This has attracted fierce opposition from local residents and a wide range of canal users.
Why the fuss?
- This is a prime site for road/water transfer, and it could serve as a gateway to the industrial heart of Camden, yet the proposals do not even acknowledge this asset.
- This is a popular open space that attracts wildlife and breaks the monotony of high-rise development
- The development will plunge the canal and its neighbours into the shade
- The scheme will deliver only a limited amount of allegedly affordable housing
- The dwellings are designed to exploit the benefits of the canal but the scheme delivers no benefits back to the canal apart from a repair to its wall. It doesn't even provide space for boats to pause.
Where are the detailed plans?
The detailed plans are on the Camden Council website (try here). You must search for Application Number 2016/1117/P.
DESCRIPTION OF APPLICATION: "Demolition of all buildings on-site and new buildings of 1-6 storeys in height to include 46 residential (C3) units (18 x 1 bed, 19 x 2 bed and 9 x 3 bed) of which 33 would be market units and 13 affordable, new office (B1a) floorspace (604 sq.m) with associated works to highways and landscaping."
How can we object?
OPTION 1. Go to the Camden Council website, navigate to the Planning applications page, search on Application Number 2016/1117/P and click on the link that allows you to submit comments. See our illustrated guide for help.
OPTION 2. Send an e-mail to the case officer Jonathan.McClue@camden.gov.uk and to planning@camden.gov.uk. Your e-mail subject should be "Objection to Planning Application Number 2016/1117/P". This method is useful if you want to send headed notepaper or illustrations.
Whichever method you use, if you need help in expressing objections then please see our brief guidance notes or refer to some examples that are already in the public domain.
The official deadline for comments is 8th April.
Who cares about freight or local industry?
Clearly the business leaders and planners of today are more interested in short-term solutions than in what they are leaving behind for future generations. They are allowing or encouraging HGVs to saturate our city streets while the purpose-built waterways remain idle.
Here are two London Assembly reports that warn us about the damage this is inflictnig on London.
Can we reach a compromise?
The current plan is unacceptable and many of us will be urging the planning officer to refuse it before it even reaches the committee stage. But our role does not end there. We need to consider how the scheme can be altered to reach a compromise and the obvious starting point for an alternative design is a direct access route from the road to the canal. Without this feature the site will never be future-proof.
Latest news.
On 17th June 2016 the council officers refused this application. Click here to see the reasons behind this decision.