West Hampstead tyre centre to become block of flats

A tyre centre in West Hampstead could be transformed into a block of flats with office space, affordable housing and shared accommodation available.

The developers propose to turn the gated, concrete-covered site into a modern-looking four-storey building at 159-161 Iverson Road to match an approved scheme next door in a former, and increasingly derelict, garden centre, near West Hampstead Thameslink station.

The tyre centre development was designed as a C shape to fit in with the Y-shaped residential scheme at the garden centre site to give residents as much open space as possible. Both will be grey and white.

Camden Council planning officers urged the developers to rethink the height of the building at the front because it looked “formidable”. Architects then redesigned proposals so the fourth storey is set back from the front of the site.

Nine of the 29 flats will be allocated as affordable housing, on top of provision for shared accommodation.

Flexible office units will take up most of the ground floor, to replace lost jobs at the tyre centre.

Developer Steve McGregor said: “It won’t be too everyone’s liking but the response so far has been very positive.”

Residents belonging to the Fortune Green and West Hampstead Neighbourhood Development Forum have praised the developers for engaging with the community and consulting them.

Chair of the NDF, James Earl, said: “I welcome the fact that the developer is keen to engage members of the local community in his plans for this site and to discuss issues of concern.”