AHMM scheme cleared for central London redevelopment

Proposals to redevelop two industrial buildings and a row of shops in central London to provide more than 8,000sq m of business space, 15 new homes and new shops, have been given the green light by Camden Council.

Dukelease Properties’ proposals for the 5,300sq m tranche of land between Gray’s Inn Road and Mount Pleasant would see the conversion and extension of two industrial buildings – the Brain Yard and Panther House.

Meanwhile, a new seven-storey mansion block would be created behind the retained facade of a two-storey row of shops on the main thoroughfare.

Heritage groups including government adviser Historic England objected to the proposals for the site, which were drawn up by architect AHMM. Neighbouring Islington Council also objected.

But Camden planning officers recommended the scheme for approval and last week councillors followed their advice by a margin of six votes to two.

Dukelease said the scheme was a “high quality, conservation-led and sympathetic design” one that responded to its context and was in keeping with surrounding buildings.

It added: “The proposals also include a significantly enhanced public realm and new maintained pedestrian thoroughfare between Gray’s Inn Road and Mount Pleasant, 135 cycle spaces, three on-site affordable homes and the creation of 376 new permanent on-site jobs.”

The scheme site is close to Royal Mail’s Mount Pleasant Sorting Office, part of which was recently placed on the market with approval for more than 600 homes designed by AHMM, Allies & Morrison, Feilden Clegg Bradley and Wilkinson Eyre.