The Planning Committee of Islington Council met on 12 January 2026 to consider two significant planning applications. The meeting's agenda included discussions on a new energy centre at The Whittington Hospital and a variation to a planning condition for a roof terrace at 1 Torrens Street.

The Whittington Hospital, Magdala Avenue, London, N15 5DY

The committee was scheduled to consider a full planning application for the erection of a new 5-storey building at The Whittington Hospital¹ campus. This building is intended to accommodate an energy centre, including electrical infrastructure, new emergency generators, bulk storage facilities, and office accommodation. The application also includes associated access, servicing, and external works. A key aspect of this application is that it represents a departure from the Development Plan, specifically concerning the height of the chimney, which exceeds 30 metres and is located outside of designated tall building areas.

The report pack indicated that the proposed energy centre would facilitate the redevelopment of the hospital's maternity and neonatal unit by enabling the relocation of existing bulk storage. The energy centre itself is designed to meet the hospital's current and future energy requirements, aligning with Local Plan Policy S5. The proposed office space is supported by Local Plan Policies SP7 and B2, provided it does not detract from the local area's character or negatively impact residential amenity. The report noted that the building's height, bulk, and massing were considered proportionate to neighbouring buildings and the street scale, despite the chimney flues narrowly exceeding 30 metres. The design was described as responding successfully to the building's functions and adjacent structures, with a contextually appropriate materials palette.

The report also highlighted potential benefits, including a well-considered design, good quality office accommodation, and significant carbon emission reductions. However, minor conflicts with planning policy were identified, such as the emergency generators not fully complying with Local Plan noise levels and minor impacts on neighbouring residential amenity through loss of daylight. The report concluded that these identified harms were outweighed by the benefits, recommending approval subject to conditions and planning obligations.

1 Torrens Street, Angel Square, London, EC1V 1NY

The committee was also scheduled to consider an application under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This application sought to vary condition 12 of a previous planning consent (reference P2022/0871/FUL) concerning the 'Operational Management Plan – Roof Terrace'. The original consent was for significant redevelopment, including new office and retail floorspace, a replacement public house, and associated works.

The current application proposed an extension to the opening hours of the upper roof terrace from 6pm to 10pm, Monday to Friday. This was to be accompanied by an updated Operational Management Plan (OMP) detailing how noise and disturbance would be managed and mitigated. The OMP outlined measures such as a 24/7 security presence, a prohibition on amplified music, furniture with rubber feet, an occupancy limit of 60 people, and a clear complaints procedure. The report noted that the upper roof terrace is set back from the building edges, with significant distances to neighbouring residential properties, and that the approved lighting scheme was designed to prevent light spill. The Neighbourhood Engagement Team had confirmed no objection to the proposal, subject to the inclusion of specific management measures within the OMP. The report concluded that the proposed amendment was considered a minor material amendment that would not give rise to unacceptable impacts on neighbouring amenity and recommended approval subject to conditions and planning obligations.