The Society has joined local residents in continuing to strongly object to the revised proposals submitted for the Holborn Infirmary/Archway Campus following the Mayor’s call-in, as none of the issues raised by objectors or the reasons for the Council’s refusal have been addressed. In fact, there would be fewer homes overall, fewer affordable homes and despite a reported decline in demand for student accommodation the tall tower remains part of the planned scheme.
Committee member James Dunnett is liaising with residents at Peregrine House, City Road regarding the Council’s proposals to build on the green space there. He is also in touch with CPRE and led an architectural walking tour of the area. The Society understands the Council is looking to appoint a developer partner before publishing more details of their plans.
A planning application has been submitted for Regents House, former RBS building, in Angel to change the building into a 600-room hotel. Society members were invited to attend an event with representatives of the developer in June to see the proposals. The Society has raised concerns about the logistics of vehicle and taxi access to the entrance.
Members of the committee attended an online consultation on plans for Finsbury Leisure Centre; an open day at the Clerkenwell Fire Station where a planning application to use the building for offices is expected soon; and a public consultation for One St John’s Lane where the owners plan to modernise the building with a new façade, add office space and a rooftop terrace as well as a more accessible entrance – committee members subsequently provided comments on the plans.
In addition, the committee is monitoring plans 35-53 Britannia Row and the Clerkenwell Parochial School where the possible purchase by an educationally aligned charitable organisation is thought to be positive for the future of this listed building.
We note the shop front at 344 Upper Street has reinstated its timber front following action by the Council enforcement team; 346 Upper Street has yet to comply with a similar enforcement action; and we objected to plans to change the frontage at 41 Islington High Street.
We were contacted by the Cinema Theatre Association who are concerned about The Coronet, Holloway Road which is not listed or locally listed, nor in a Conservation Area. We are supporting their concerns and have noticed the pub premises have been open more recently.
We note an application submitted to change The Woodbine was refused at the planning committee meeting following recommendation from the planning officers; work has begun on Holy Trinity Cloudesley Square to renovate the spire which is in scaffolding; and a revised planning application submitted for 69-85 Margery Street was approved by the committee.
We see The Old Dairy appears to be in use although not as a Greene King pub but are not aware if the pub had been sold; and we heard the Cubitt Gallery, Angel Mews has been told to vacate the property as it is being redeveloped.
The committee is attempting to monitor new plans for the Moorfields Eye Hospital site on City Road as the replacement building in Camden moves nearer to completion.