Yoo Capital’s plan (above) is entirely dependent on UPS land to gain access to the 30m deep basement to the film studio building, without which it cannot function. It is very unlikely that UPS will accept this degree of encroachment as it will severely limit their ability to control land that they hold on a lease that runs to 2134. The scheme also encroaches on other land that Yoo does not own and impedes the proposed development by Joseph Homes.
Joseph Homes have issued a strongly worded objection, as have the City of London, the Collège Français Bilingue de Londres and Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum. It seems unlikely that this scheme can go ahead. A different vision is needed.
How can we incorporate this underused site into the public realm and make it a more productive part of Camden?
What sort of development do we need and want?
Climate Emergency Camden has objected to Yoo Capital’s proposals due to the ecological harms which will result, and calling for a low-carbon approach to development on the site: see here. This would include planning around existing buildings that do not need to be demolished and creating structures that enable resilience and adaptability in the face of the ecological crisis.
Here is a possible plan which could achieve this:
KEY:
- Brown: residential and community- continuing the axis of Holmes Road to connect Arctic Street with Kentish Town Road
- Light blue: industrial and commercial- retaining a viable and flexible industrial and logistical base in Camden (Use Classes B2 and B8) which is vital for future resilience
- Mauve: improved recycling centre (this could alternatively be incorporated in a new building further down Regis Road)
- Dark blue: new police station- the London Met has submitted a planning application to move out of the existing police station and into newly refurbished premises next door (the Section House). If this went ahead the existing police buildings could be converted to residential use.
This scheme retains the following buildings, saving unnecessary use of construction resources and carbon dioxide emissions:
- Holmes Road Depot
- Homes at 76-78 Holmes Road
- Kentish Town Police Station
- Car-pound office building
This plan achieves a clear separation between Holmes Road (residential use) and Regis Road (industrial use).
The neighbourhood needs industrial areas untrammelled by property values where non-residential operations can be set up fast. As the supply chains shocks multiply due to climate change and geo-politics degenerates into trade wars and worse, we need fast response settings in cities.
West Kentish Town 