The Planning Committee of Camden Council met on Thursday, 11 December 2025, to discuss several planning applications. The meeting was scheduled to cover a range of development proposals, including a significant hybrid planning application for the West Kentish Town Estate, a mixed-use development at 180 Arlington Road and 14 Parkway, and a change of use application for a car park in Dobson Close. Additionally, the committee was set to consider extensions and alterations to 120 Holborn, and a change of use for Unit 6A at 6-17 Tottenham Court Road. The meeting agenda also included the minutes from the previous meeting on 3 November 2025.

West Kentish Town Estate, Land bounded by Queens Crescent, Grafton Road, Althone Street, Rhyl Street, Weedington Road, Coity Road, Warden Road, Bassett Street and Allcroft Road, London NW5

The committee was scheduled to discuss a hybrid planning application for the West Kentish Town Estate. This application sought detailed planning permission for Development Plots A1 and D1, which included the demolition of existing structures and the erection of new buildings for residential dwellings (Class C3) and flexible commercial/business/service space (Class E). It also included detailed permission for temporary landscaping and outline permission for phased development of further plots (A2, A3, B1, C1, D2, D3, E1, E2, F1, F2 and G1). The proposal aimed to replace the existing 1960s estate, which suffers from overcrowding and poor thermal performance, with modern housing that meets contemporary standards. The redevelopment concept seeks to revitalise the estate by replacing current housing with modern standards, increasing the supply of larger homes, integrating the estate with its surroundings, improving visibility for safer neighbourhoods, and creating exemplary landscape settings with high-quality buildings. The proposals comprise the complete demolition of all existing buildings on the site, totalling 316 dwellings, and their replacement with new housing designed to meet contemporary standards and demands. This would deliver a diverse mix of housing tenures, commercial spaces, and high-quality open spaces and public realm, all integrated within a coherent masterplan. The masterplan would deliver 40% affordable housing by floor area, with the affordable housing provided as 100% social rent. The detailed proposals for Phase 1 would deliver 93% affordable housing by floorspace (92% by units), with all affordable homes provided as social affordable rent. The outline proposals would deliver 35% affordable housing by floorspace (35% by units). Officers identified less than substantial harm to heritage assets, at the lower end of the scale, and that this should be given considerable weight and importance in decision making. However, the level and nature of the harm has been carefully considered and viewed in the context of the fact that this Estate is expected to come forward for development with an increased density and which would secure social, environmental and economic benefits including replacement and new social housing. The scale of the scheme also harms amenity of some nearby homes through major adverse light impacts exceeding what would normally be expected in this urban context. However, most of these are as a result of outline plots on Grafton Road and so further mitigation may be possible through refined massing and articulation. The impact on other properties is considered acceptable. The development would be car free, with good quality cycle parking provided in all new blocks. Significant financial contributions exceeding £1.6m would secure improvements to the transport, pedestrian and cycling environment in the local area, mitigating impact on the transport infrastructure. The impact from demolition and construction would be carefully managed throughout the development with continuous engagement. The scale of the scheme would generate notable economic benefits including employment, and planning obligations ensure some of these employment and training benefits are directed to local residents and businesses. The scheme directly addresses local health inequalities, particularly for low-income households, older people, and disabled people, as well as their families and carers. Directing the economic benefits to local residents will also have a positive impact on long term health, along with the public spaces and placemaking which will support physical activity, mental wellbeing, and social cohesion, with young people codesigning spaces. Officers believe there are considerable and compelling public benefits that outweigh harm and negatives identified with the scheme. The scheme complies with the development plan as a whole, and the recommendation was to grant permission.

180 Arlington Road London NW1 7HL and 14 Parkway London NW1 7AA

The committee was scheduled to consider a proposal for the demolition of existing buildings and adaptation of the existing Parkway frontage at 180 Arlington Road and 14 Parkway. The application sought permission for the erection of a mixed-use development comprising leisure/cultural use (Sui Generis and/or Class F1 and/or Class E) at basement and ground floor level, affordable housing units (Class C3), purpose-built student accommodation units (Sui Generis), and retail at ground floor level (Class E), along with associated works. The proposal included detailed planning permission for Development Plots A1 and D1, and outline planning permission for other development plots. The recommendation was to grant conditional planning permission, subject to referral to the Mayor of London, finalisation of conditions, and completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

Car Park, Dobson Close, London NW6 4RU

A change of use application for the car park at Dobson Close was scheduled for discussion. The proposal was to change the use from garages to a mixed-use neighbourhood centre (Sui Generis), incorporating community event space and affordable workspace. Associated external alterations included the installation of new windows and doors, and two air source heat pumps. The recommendation was to grant conditional planning permission, subject to a Shadow Section 106 Legal Agreement.

120 Holborn, London EC1N 2TD

The committee was due to discuss extensions and alterations to 120 Holborn. This included the removal of rooftop plant, the addition of an additional storey on the west side, and retention of 10 storeys on the east side, with rooftop plant and terraces. The proposal also involved facade renewal, replacement of stone cladding with metal cladding, replacement windows, new balconies, reconfiguration of commercial and retail floorspace (Class E) on the ground floor, and the re-provision of affordable jewellery workspace and competitive socialising space (Sui Generis/Class E) on the lower ground floor. The recommendation was to grant conditional planning permission, subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

Unit 6A, 6-17 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 1BJ

Finally, the committee was scheduled to consider a change of use application for Unit 6A at 6-17 Tottenham Court Road. The proposal was to change the use from a bank (Class E) to a dual or flexible use as an interactive museum (Sui Generis) or Class E use. The proposed Sui Generis use specified is for an interactive museum, The Museum of Illusions, with associated retail and office space. The recommendation was to grant conditional planning permission, subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as apologies, declarations of interest, announcements, and representations to the committee.