Plans for West Hampstead ‘treehouse’ development to be refused

Plans for a “tree house” development of flats in West Hampstead are set to be turned down today (Thursday).

Developers planning to build 36 flats on the old Hampstead Garden Centre site in Iverson Road have scrapped designs for an “aeroplane wing” roof after complaints from residents.

But Camden Council planning officials have recommended councillors refuse the proposals when the development control committee meets this evening (Thursday, March 15).

In 13 separate points planning officials recommend refusal because of the absence of legal agreements to contribute towards community facilities, open spaces, public transport and education facilities.

They also say there is not enough social housing on offer in the scheme.

Hampstead Cllr John Bryant said: “It would be a change of use from the old garden centre to purely residential and is not part of the intensification plan – it does not even pass first base.

“The design is weird, they have tried to pack too many residential units in, so it has been turned down for a whole host of reasons.”

West Hampstead has been earmarked for development in the Greater London Authority’s London Plan, but the old Hampstead Garden Centre was never part of those plans.

Plans for 198 flats across a series of tower blocks off West End Lane were approved by the council last month.

Resident hope the Mayor of London will offer a last minute reprieve and block the West End Lane flats scheme, but no final decision has been made.