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Camden News - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 11 December 2008

Site of the proposed development in Holmes Road

Fears ‘student ghetto’ will be magnet for bad behaviour

THE back streets of Kentish Town will become a student ghetto if a plan to replace a kitchen cabinet warehouse with digs gets the go-ahead, residents fear.
Developers have asked for permission to knock down the Magnet Kitchens showroom in Holmes Road and replace it with a six-storey, 411-bedroom building to rent out to students.
But neighbours say it will turn the street into a university campus and fear anti-social antics.
They say they have already had to contact the principal of the Royal Veterinary College – which has student bedsits in the street – over late-night revelry.
Developers Hallmark Estates met with residents on Tuesday to explain the designs but faced stiff opposition over the scheme, which includes a restaurant and a garden for the students.
Alex Dunbar, who lives next door to the site, said not only did she fear an increase in already rowdy behaviour but felt the rooms would be too small for the students, and would hit local services.
“This would turn Holmes Road into a campus” she said. “Students do not pay council tax and this will make things that much more strained. Students contribute little locally and this would make things much, much worse. We would much prefer social housing which we lack in this area, or simply keep it as it is – we need the jobs locally.”
She also criticised the design of the building.
She added: “They plan to extend into the basement of our block to create a common room, which will increase the noise we have to put up with, and the planned rooms are far too small for people to be comfortable in.”
Syar Dally, who is behind developers Hallmark Estates, said there was a desperate need for extra student accommodation.
He said: “Holmes Road is close to three London Universities and by the council’s admission new student accommodation would provide a great opportunity for a better standard of student life. It would also ease pressure on local housing by freeing up other properties used to accommodate students.”
Responding to fears that the building would be too high, Mr Dyall said his team had spoken at length with Town Hall planners over its height and their architects had been guided by their advice.
And Mr Dyall countered claims that the development would mean extra traffic.
He said: “The current Magnet site has regular deliveries by large artic lorries, which causes road closures and creates congestion in the area.
“The development would be car free, and delivery to the café would be a small compared to the existing situation with the Magnet.”

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