How the new attraction could look

A 40 METRE high observation wheel proposed for Camden Lock was given the green light by the Town Hall’s planning committee tonight (Thursday) – in face of a raft of objections.

The scheme will see the wheel – four-fifths the height of Nelson’s Column – built in the West Yard, next to Camden Lock.

Councillors voted six to two in favour of the project, with two abstentions.

Town Hall planning chiefs had recommended the scheme be passed – but market owners Lab Tech face one more hurdle, as the project will have to be rubber stamped by the Mayor of London to have the final say as the structure is over 30 metres high.

Lab Tech commercial director Maggie Milosavljevic told the committee the plans would generate jobs and help independent traders. Lab Tech say they would like to see visitor numbers rise by 30 per cent. Currently, around 30m people visit Camden Town each year.

She added: “There is a lot of local support from local businesses, market traders and community groups.”

As well as the wheel, the plans included a revamp of a storage area known as the East Vaults to create a new performance and exhibition space. They link to a canal quay known as Dead Dogs Basin, found beneath the Interchange warehouse, a seven storey, Grade II listed block dating from 1901. It will also be opened to the public.

Lab Tech are landlords for 270 stall holders, 59 shops and three main venues and say the wheel will bring in  residents to re-discover the markets. The scheme includes  free school tickets and a heritage trail . 

But building a 40-metre high observation wheel next to the Regent Canal was met with fierce opposition. 

Steven Edery, who lives opposite the site, said the Wheel would increase crime, disturb swathes of residents and give people a grand stand view  into his home.

He said: “We have been trying to curb the anti-social behaviour that plagues the area. Camden Lock seems to attract everybody who wants to be singing Wonderwall at the top of their voices all night.”

He also said any extra footfall was unsustainable, adding: “Camden Lock is one of London’s biggest tourist destinations. Have you tried to walk through the streets? “The last thing Camden Town needs is to bring in more people.

“This is a horrible eyesore, will lead to a complete lack of privacy – people will be able to see right into our homes – and all to intensify the markets for the owner. We are also highly sceptical that this will be temporary.”

Camden Town and Primrose Hill ward Labour councillor Pat Callaghan told the meeting in her 29 years serving she had never seen so many individual objections.

The deputy council leader said: “It is tasteless, unsightly and incongruous. Camden Lock is not Lego Land.”

Lab Tech revealed in their application this was the start of a major re vamp of the East and West Yards, with plans being developed for a new roof on a faux Victorian block called the Market Hall, and two new buildings in west and middle yard that would boast shops and cafes on the ground floors and offices above.

Heritage group Historic England said they feared that after the wheel’s five year term was finished, a fresh application would be made to make the it  permanent. It would then permanently damage a listed building, they claimed.

They said: “The wheel would affect the significance and setting of heritage assets due to its height, bulk, scale and design. The proposed harm would be temporary. However, given the size and likely cost of construction, it is entirely possible that if the wheel were successful as a tourist attraction, there could be future applications to extend the period or make it permanent.”

The conservation body’s views were echoed by a host of conservation area committees that included the Regents Canal CAAC, South Kentish Town, Belsize Park and Primrose Hill.

Umbrella group Tenants & Residents Associations, Camden Town (TRACT) called the wheel ‘a nonsense,’ adding: “The market has developed into a place best avoided,  a generator of noise, rubbish and anti-social behaviour. It is suggested that it will attract residents. There is no persuasive argument for this. The cost of a ticket is high, and residents have great views from local parks.”

Their views were echoed by the South Kentish Town CAAC, who highlighted how the changing face of the markets had, in their view, ruined Camden Town.

They said: “ The expansion from weekend craft stalls into whole-week tourist venue has been harmful to the character of Camden High Street, once pleasant for  shopping, but is now overwhelmed by thronging pedestrians and ugly tourist shops. The Ferris wheel will do further damage.”

Planning officers said they accepted the wheel would impact on the area’s character and views, and would temporarily harm the Lock’s historic look.

But they said the advantages – employment, opening up previously inaccessible areas, restoring Dead Dogs Basin and returning the site to as it was in 2028 – made the scheme acceptable.

They added the wheel suited Camden’s industrial heritage, stating: “The design is bespoke, the only one in the world. The wheel has an industrial appearance which links back to the history  and architectural setting.”

Officers also said that while the wheel could be seen from  surrounding streets, it was not unwelcome. They said: “The wheel would form a visually interesting, temporary landmark and the opening of the East Vaults, Dead Dog Basin and the introduction of an Observation Wheel will afford the Camden Lock Market further individuality and interest.”

After the scheme was passed, a Lab Tech spokeswoman told the New Journal: “The decision to approve this application is a major milestone for Lab Tech’s overarching vision for a successful future.

“It enables us to continue rolling out our cultural plan and the delivery of a mixed use portfolio to live, work shop and entertain. As a long term investor in Camden, Lab Tech is committed to continue to invest in the markets restoration and these proposals are an exciting step forwards.”