Camden New Journal - by ROISIN GADELRAB Published: 27 September 2007
An artist’s impression of how the former hospital site could look
Mayor to decide on Noho Square
Ken Livingstone to deliver verdict on proposed eco-friendly homes at former hospital site
MAYOR of London Ken Livingstone will tomorrow deliver the final verdict on the future of a multi-million pound development on the site of the old Middlesex Hospital.
Mr Livingstone, who was unhappy with the proportion of designated affordable housing, has until midnight tonight (Thursday) to decide if he will allow the eco-friendly Noho Square complex of shops, offices and homes to go ahead.
Off-shore consortium Project Abbey (Guernsey) Ltd bought the site from UCLH for £175 million last June.
One of the driving forces behind the sale is Christian Candy, co-founder of luxury residential firm Candy & Candy, who redeveloped Bowater House in Knightsbridge and specialises in exclusive projects in London and Monaco. His company CPC Group is the lead member of the consortium.
Last week, Richard Williams, CPC Group chief operations officer told the Guernsey Weekly Press: “Noho Square will cater to the needs of dynamic professionals who until now have been denied the option to live close to where they work.”
CPC director Stephen Smith said it was too soon to determine how much the properties would go for, but added: “It depends how high house prices are. “There will be social housing, some flats and some bigger flats, but we’re aiming for the middle market. They won’t be cheap because of the area, but they won’t be expensive because of the area. We’re just keeping quiet until it goes through.”
Candy & Candy, which also designs yachts and private planes will act as development managers and interior designers for the scheme.
Their vision for the future of the three-acre site in the heart of Bloomsbury, has been designed by Ken Shuttleworth, of Make architects.
Of the 273 flats included in the plans, 82 will be “affordable.”
But, according to Westminster’s planning brief: “At present the Mayor of London is unconvinced that the amount of affordable housing proposed is the maximum that could be achieved on the site.”
Earlier this month, Westminster Council approved the plans amid a storm of protest. The hospital sits directly on the Camden and Westminster border.
But despite Camden Council turning down the plans, Westminster, which has the greater power in this case, has overruled.
Residents who don’t want the massive development looming over them, have gathered a petition.
Max Neufeld, chairman of the Charlotte Street residents association, said: “We’re very disappointed that the plans were passed because it’s in no way in conformity with the planning brief. “The height and the bulk of the building will be extremely damaging to the conservation area and will cause serious loss of daylight to the surrounding properties.”
Teacher Malcolm Salomon, who says he will lose light from the block, has described it as a “Canary Wharf-style fortress”.
In return for planning permission, the developers have been asked to provide £800,000 towards educational provision, a health centre, a community centre, a swimming pool, nursing home, play areas, a nursery and public open space.
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