The Camden Council Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on 11 December 2025 to discuss several planning applications, including a proposal to convert a former telephone exchange into a hotel, and an amendment to a prior planning permission on the Abbey Estate¹. The committee, led by Councillor Heather Johnson, Chair of Planning Committee, will also consider a change of use application for three housing blocks on the Regent's Park Estate.

Here are the topics scheduled for discussion:

123 Judd Street - Hotel Conversion

A report pack before the committee includes a recommendation to grant conditional planning permission for the partial change of use of the building at 123 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NP, from a telephone exchange to a hotel. The proposal involves retaining part of the existing telephone exchange, extending the building, and making external alterations, including green roofs and PV panels². The application also includes associated public realm works, including to the courtyard, and associated highway and access works.

The planning officer, Ewan Campbell, notes that the proposed hotel would have 240 rooms and would be in Use Class C1³. The report pack notes that the Executive Director Investment, Place and Opportunity considers that the hotel use aligns with London Plan Policy E10 and Camden Local Plan Policy E3, supporting tourism and economic growth in a highly accessible location. The report pack also notes that the hotel is expected to create 109 direct jobs, and that the Camden Hospitality Academy (CHA) would provide local training and employment. The report pack states that a payment in lieu⁴ will be made to support off-site affordable housing delivery, partly for a proposed scheme at the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Centre at 39 Tottenham Street.

Historic England have been consulted and have commented that the proposal would cause some harm to the Bloomsbury Conservation Area, but considers it to be less than substantial. The report pack notes that the council asserts that the high quality design and overall scale of the proposed building is appropriate for the overall area and townscape.

The report pack notes that Bloomsbury Residents Action Group (BRAG) have objected to the proposal, raising concerns about the design, increased scale and massing, impact on neighbour's amenity, and impact on air quality.

The report pack also notes that Camden Cycling Campaign have commented on the application, raising concern regarding vulnerable road users in relation to HGV movements, and that Section 17 of the CMP describes proposed routes to the site which seems incorrect and amendment is requested.

Abbey Estate - Affordable Housing Amendment

The committee will also consider a report pack that recommends granting a non-material amendment to a planning permission on the Abbey Estate, 3 Abbey Road, London NW6 4DX. The planning officer, Joanne Clark, notes that the application relates to planning permission ref. 2022/2542/P, which allowed for the demolition and redevelopment of the Emminster and Hinstock blocks, including the Belsize Priory Health Centre, Abbey Community Centre, public house and commercial units. The prior permission was to provide new residential accommodation (Use Class C3) and ground floor commercial space (Use Class E) to be used as flexible commercial units, across three buildings ranging from 4 to 11 storeys, along with car and bicycle parking, landscaping and all necessary ancillary and enabling works. The report pack notes that the non-material amendment seeks to vary conditions 2 and 27 of the planning permission, namely to amend the affordable housing types. The report pack states that the original permission for Abbey Phase 3 granted planning permission for redevelopment of the site to provide a mix of market and affordable homes, with 46 affordable homes split between 36 Social Affordable Rent, and 10 Intermediate rent. The report pack notes that this application is to alter the affordable housing tenures, so the 10 Intermediate Rent homes would become Social Affordable Rent, meaning 100% of affordable homes in Phase 3 would be Social Affordable Rent. The report pack states that the change to the affordable tenures involves changing all affordable homes to the most affordable housing type, and whilst there is a conflict with the guideline mix set out in Local Plan Policy H4 of 60% social-affordable rent and 40% intermediate housing, there are sound reasons for this change being considered acceptable in this case, including flexibility set out in the policy.

Regent's Park Estate - Workspace Conversion

The committee will also consider a report pack that recommends granting conditional planning permission for a change of use at Cartmel, Coniston and Langdale, Hampstead Road London NW1 3SH. The planning officer, John Nicholls, notes that the application seeks permission for the change of use of all flats (Class C3) to workspace use (Class E), as a meanwhile use for 5 years. The report pack states that the applicant is London Borough of Camden, and that the application site comprises 3 Council-owned housing blocks, namely Cartmel, Coniston and Langdale, which all form part of the Regent's Park Estate on the western side of Hampstead Road. The report pack notes that the three buildings have largely been vacated of tenants and leaseholders due to the proximity of the HS2⁵ construction works although a few residents have continued to remain in situ.

The report pack states that planning permission was approved on 15/09/2023 (Ref: 2023/2963/P) to change the use of all the individual flats (153 in total) within the 3 buildings from residential use (Class C3) to workspace use (Class E), as a meanwhile use for up to 2 years, and that the current application seeks a similar change of use as a meanwhile use as workspaces (Class E) for a further 5 years. The report pack notes that the flats would be used as low cost workspace for creatives and makers, and that Bow Arts, an arts and education charity and social enterprise, would manage the units. The report pack states that the proposed change of use of all the flats within the 3 housing blocks from residential use (Class C3) to workspace use (Class E), as a meanwhile use for up to 5 years, is considered to be acceptable on the basis that the flats are either currently vacant or will be soon (unless the tenant of the flat chooses to remain, in which case no change of use would occur) and they will not be re-let for residential purposes in the short-term due to the buildings' proximity to the HS2 construction works.

The report pack notes that the proposal accords with the aims of Policies G1 and E2 of the Local Plan insofar as it makes efficient use of the buildings and supports creative industries by increasing the supply of affordable accommodation (albeit on a temporary basis).