A former gym left vacant for years could be completely refurbished to create new facilities for an art college.

Hampstead Fine Arts College (FAC), which lists the likes of Orlando Bloom and Helena Bonham Carter as alumni, wants to redevelop the building formerly occupied by Spring Health Lesiure.

The gym shut suddenly and went into liquidation in 2017, with the site in Belsize Park Gardens remaining vacant ever since.

But under new proposals submitted to Camden Council by Dukes Education Group, which runs FAC, the building would be completely remodelled.

The development in Belsize Park would create a double height “multi-purpose space” for the college, as well as a dance studio, photography studio and art studio.

It is anticipated that the new spaces will be big enough to support around 200 pupils and up to 30 staff members.

Planning documents claim that the development will create “a positive contribution to the landscape and street frontage” of Belsize Park Gardens.

They add that a 2m boundary wall to the south east will help to “reduce overlooking” for neighbours, as well as translucent glazing in the upper floor windows.

A single-storey walkway will be demolished as part of the development.

New windows will be fitted to the ground and first floor, and cycle and bin stores will be built to the front of the site.

Comments can me made on the Camden Council planning portal until the end of today (November 26) under reference 2023/3407/P.

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