Swain’s Lane shopping parade: Earl of Listowel’s controversial redevelopment approved
Designs for the re-development of Swain's Lane shopping parade in Highgate were approved last night. Picture: Liam O'Connor Architects - Credit: Archant
Plans for a controversial development of Swain’s Lane shopping parade in Highgate have won go ahead after 12 years.
Lord Listowel's plans for the Swain's Lane shopping parade - Credit: Archant
Camden Council’s development control committee last night approved plans for a three-storey block of flats and shops to replace the existing parade.
The Earl of Listowel, who owns the parade, has tried for more than a decade to redevelop the block but each proposal has been fiercely opposed by community campaigners.
Current plans are for two red-brick buildings containing eight shops and 12 flats.
Nearly 160 objections to the plans were sent to Camden Council, with reasons for opposition including the height and bulk, “clumsy” architectural design, the impact on traffic, loss of parking, and the failure to guarantee protection of the parade’s current traders.
Lord Listowel. Picture: Dods - Credit: PA
A spokesperson for the Earl of Listowel, the landowner and applicant said: “I welcome the decision of Camden’s planning committee this evening to approve my application for the redevelopment of Swain’s Lane.
“I am pleased that members of the committee recognised the substantial engagement with the local community which undoubtedly resulted in an improved scheme being put forward for consideration.
Most Read
- 1 Drug runner caught at Euston with heroin in underwear jailed for four years
- 2 North London road and rail disruptions in the week ahead
- 3 Fire brigade extinguish St Pancras station electrical fire
- 4 The story of a pond returning to Hampstead Heath
- 5 Guilty: Woman stirred up racial hatred with social media posts on Grenfell
- 6 Cirque du Soleil: Luzia Royal Albert Hall ****
- 7 Nine of London's best vegan restaurants to try this Veganuary
- 8 Hampstead retail site snapped up for £7m by property firm
- 9 How a stray Hampstead cat changed the life of artist Louis Wain
- 10 Overturned car in East Finchley following reported collision
“Our work with the community will now continue, starting with the establishment of a local forum to help shape the retail offer on Swain’s Lane and ensure we effectively manage the construction process.
“My experience of securing this positive decision is a lesson in how meaningful collaboration can deliver the best outcome. “I would like to thank the community and stakeholder groups of Swain’s Lane for their contributions to date.
“In the coming months we will work with those who still harbour concerns and I very much hope in due course these detractors can be persuaded of the merits of this important scheme.”
