A HOUSING developer hoping to build 156 homes on a Hampstead site used for student housing is facing severe criticism for not stating how many affordable or social homes will be included in the plans. 

Home builders Mount Anvil applied for planning permission this week for a scheme in Kidderpore Avenue that would see Grade II-listed buildings that were used by students at King’s College London (KCL) converted into luxury flats. The project also proposes knocking down outbuildings, creating new terraced houses on protected open land, and carving out a new basement car park. 

When asked by the New Journal why no precise figure for affordable or social homes on the site was included and how they intended to meet the council’s policy of providing a 50 per cent mix of low-cost housing, a spokesman Mount Anvil said the figure was still being worked out, despite the application being lodged. 

Mount Anvil have held various public meetings and exhibitions over the past year regarding the site. The plans show they want to demolish three buildings and move a listed summer house dating from the mid-19th century; will restore and convert the listed buildings, and pay a financial contribution to help ease any strain on infrastructure and services in the neighbourhood the extra households will generate. 

Frognal ward Conservative councillor Andrew Mennear told the New Journal the developer should make it clear how many homes on site would be affordable or for social housing before any permission was granted. 

He said: “It’s very sad that yet again a developer of a major scheme is seeking to reduce scrutiny of its application by sneaking it out when many residents are away in mid-summer. Local residents understand the need to develop the KCL site and that it will provide more housing. 

"It is, however, wrong that the developer is failing to tell us what the mix will be of private/social units and everyone is concerned at the pressure on local amenities, particularly school places. Families, and particularly those in social housing who will face restrictions on parking-places, will want local school places. This scheme needs to include at expansion for the neighbouring St Luke’s School. Without this, permission should be refused.” 

The Heath and Hampstead Society’s David Castle, chairman of the civic group’s planning committee, told the New Journal the scheme was unacceptable as it stood. 

He said: “Hampstead needs social and affordable housing. It does not need more expensive, luxury flats, many of which will probably be bought by overseas investors. We need homes for families, for key workers, for students. Camden Council usually neglect their core housing policy which aims to protect student and other low cost housing. It ignores the lands historic use, which was educational, for student housing and for community uses.” 

And the plans to carve out a space for 97 cars was also criticised. 

Mr Castle said: “It will increase congestion in an area already suffering from too much traffic, it is in direct contradiction of Camden Council’s own draft plan, which states clearly there must be no parking provision on new residential developments.” 

The land has been used for educational purposes since it was bought by Westfield College in 1890. St Luke’s Free School would like to use some of the site as it is currently heavily over subscribed and there is a lack of school places in the neighbourhood. 

The school’s chair of governors, Penny Roberts, said: “With such a high demand for school places it is a missed opportunity. Our school has been open for a short time but established itself as a hub for the community. Residents support our expansion as it would not only provide space for families but facilities for the community after school. It is a tragedy that land used for educational purposes, and still needed for this, could be lost – it sweeps away 130-plus year of history. Furthermore, for Mount Anvil to launch their planning application on the first day of school holidays is disgraceful. People only have until mid-August to object.” 

A spokesman for Mount Anvil said they discussed their plans at length with people in the area. They did not say how or when they would decide how many affordable homes the site would hold, but said some would be built. Their application stated: “It is the applicant’s intention to provide the maximum reasonable amount of affordable housing. The exact amount and tenure has not yet been finalised however.” 

The spokesman added: “Kidderpore is a beautiful, historic and highly complex site. Having been used as student accommodation for more than 20 years, several of its Grade II-listed buildings are now in a significant state of disrepair and in need of sensitive restoration to bring them back to life. 

“Over the last nine months we have consulted extensively on Kidderpore, working in collaboration with the council, local residents and community groups to develop a carefully considered, holistic plan for the site which will create a range of much-needed high-quality new homes in an exceptionally designed development that fits with its surroundings, open up previously private gardens for public use, and leave a positive lasting legacy for the whole community. 

“We will continue to work with all interested people and groups to develop the most appropriate solution. We will continue to engage through the appropriate channels and not through the media.”