The revised planning for a bitterly contested central London site has been recommended for approval by planners at the London Borough of Camden.
Proposals for the site at Selkirk House, 166 High Holborn and 1 Museum Street, 10-12 Museum Street, 35-41 New Oxford Street, and 16A-18 West Central Street have been recommended at this evening’s planning committee.
Redevelopment proposals sit alongside a Listed Buildings Consent Application, for other structures on the site following the listing earlier this year.
The application prepared principally by architects DSDHA, propose four new buildings at; 1 Museum Street – a single new building rising to 19 storeys, High Holborn – a single new building rising to 6 storeys and Vine Lane – a single new building rising to 5 storeys as well as at West Central Street – a series of new and refurbished buildings rising to 6 storeys.
Other proposed interventions include a wider masterplan and landscaping including a new pedestrian route through the site known as ‘Vine Lane’ linking High Holborn and West Central Street.
Contained within the proposals are also 44 new homes, ranging from Low-Cost Rent through to those for market sale and serviced apartments. This includes 19 affordable homes equating to 50.1% affordable housing on a floorspace basis.
As the scheme is well situated for public transport, principally but not exclusively Holborn and Tottenham Court Road the scheme does not provide any car parking space not even disabled blue badge spaces for residents, visitors or workers.
A Financial Viability Assessment (FVA) has been undertaken, the report therefore concludes that the proposed planning contribution package comprising 50.1% affordable housing (by GIA) plus S106 and CIL of c. £2.7million represents the maximum reasonable level that can be anticipated by the Council and any further contributions, including a residential PIL, cannot be justified based upon viability.
The scheme if approved would be delivered across three phases, subject to approval by the Greater London Authority and the conclusion S106/CIL agreements with Camden Council.
