A planned development of 1,800 new homes behind the O2 Centre has moved one step closer.
By seven votes to three, Camden Council's planning committee gave “conditional” approval last night (March 30) for detailed and outline applications for the development behind the Finchley Road shopping centre.
Permission will only be confirmed after a referral to the Mayor of London, the finalising of wording for conditions and the completion of a section 106 legal agreement.
As Cllr Heather Johnson announced the result of the planning committee’s vote, shouts of “shame” could be heard from the public gallery.
Cllr Johnson said: “I’m so fed up with hearing people who just play to a gallery, as such.
“You don’t realise how hard this committee works and the amount of time and thought they put into this.”
Developer Landsec said that 35 per cent of the 1,800 homes in the new development would be affordable.
Plans for the site include a new town square with shops and restaurants, as well as a gym and a cinema. A “tree-lined” park will also connect Finchley Road to West Hampstead.
The site of the development is currently taken up by a car park, shopping centre, Homebase, two car showrooms and a builders merchant yard.
Changes to the initial plans, made following consultation with the local community, have included reducing the height of the tallest building to 15 storeys as well as the overall number of homes on the site.
Under the current proposals, the construction of the development is expected to take between 10 and 15 years.
Landsec’s project lead, Timothy Trillo, said: "The O2 masterplan site is an incredibly important and exciting opportunity to create a place that can deliver so much for Camden and the local community.
“We have been working on a vision since 2019 and have really valued all of the input and conversations we’ve had with local people over this time.
“By taking a hard, grey, and under-used car park and turning it green, we will be creating a thriving new landscape-led neighbourhood with new homes and much needed affordable homes, significant new public realm, and green spaces, as well as retail, leisure and community uses.
“This will be an exciting new place where people can live and grow.”
The first phase of the plan would introduce 608 new homes and a community garden on the site of the Sainsbury’s car park.
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