The controversial tower block scheme in Swiss Cottage

• PLEADING financial difficulties on their return, 100 Avenue Road developers Essential Living have submitted two new planning applications, one to renege on their affordable housing obligation (as we predicted) and the other to use cheaper cladding, (100 Avenue Road: Fury as tower block developers seeks to remove affordable homes, January 20).

— Application 2021/0025/P’ – to rewrite the s106 legal agreement to replace the approved 36 affordable units with private rental units.

— Application 2021/0022/P’ – to replace the approved Portland stone cladding for less expensive, drab-looking, glass-reinforced concrete.

Their viability report states that if “it is unviable to pursue such a scheme” then “the scheme is unlikely to proceed”, that is, they might not continue if the application is refused.

To support Camden planning officers make the right decision, please send in your comments by typing respective Application Nos. 2021/0022/P and 2021/0025/P into Camden’s Beta planning search field: https://accountforms.camden.gov.uk/planning-search/ — and email: jonathan.mcclue@camden.gov.uk, cc planning@camden.gov.uk, with the subject heading the relevant application no.

And on a related matter: the Swiss Cottage Open Space Improvement Project – funded by EL – proposes to:

— remove almost half the green landscape in favour of an extended Hampstead Theatre “urban” terrace and a new children’s play area;

— fell trees at the top end of the green and plant new ones further down where the late afternoon sunlight is, while everywhere else would be cast under the tower’s shadow;

— remove many hedges that define the green;

— remove the grass mound in front of the library and build a skateboard park there.

The open space was designed as a tranquil space especially in consideration of the residents who live around it. It is not a place for skateboarding or any other noisy activity during the day or night.

To view/object to these proposals, go to https://swisscottageopenspace.commonplace.is — for drawings click on “additional materials”.

Comments will only be considered that correspond to the relevant application. Consultation for all three subjects closes February 14.

JANINE SACHS
Chair, Save Swiss Cottage