Boris approves Make scheme after Derwent pays £1.6m Crossrail tax

The London Mayor has approved a West End office scheme previously rejected by Camden Council.

The £125m redevelopment of the block in London’s ‘adland’ will see the creation of more than 35,000sq m of office space, 4,500 of commercial and 57 new homes.

The site at 80 Charlotte Street and 65 Whitfield Street just North of Oxford Street is known as the ‘Saatchi block’ after the occupier of the current site.

As a condition of planning, the developer Derwent will pay a £1.6m Crossrail levy and include affordable homes on the scheme. Derwent will also invest £120,000 on local education and community facilities and £150,000 on street improvements and highway works. There will be storage for 226 cycle spaces.

In May Camden Council refused the planning application. The Mayor of London has the power to overturn council planning decision if he feels development proposals have implications for the capital.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “As well as providing a vital contribution to Crossrail and a boost to the construction industry, I welcome the fact that there will be considerable investment into the local community as a result. I can find no reason to refuse permission and am of the firm view that this ambitious and important redevelopment should go ahead.”

Derwent said the scheme is expected to be completed by 2016.