How the new block at Bangor Wharf will look

THIS is the first look at how a new six-storey block of student flats could look on the edge of the canal in Camden Town.

The site, opposite The Constitution pub, is called Bangor Wharf and developers say they can sensitively add more than 150 new flats aimed at young people studying in London. Council planners are currently reviewing the designs after throwing out earlier plans due to their scale and closeness to the water’s edge.

Officials have been urged to make sure any works do not harm the canal ecosystem and the homes of swans, coots and other water fowl.

The promotional material for the new flats celebrates how close they will be to both Camden Town and the redeveloped railway lands in King’s Cross. The route between the two, however, at times is busy and the overhead link known as the Camden High Line aimed at relieving congestion was recently cancelled.

The site is opposite the Constitution pub

Claire McLean, area planner for the Canal & River Trust, the 200-year- old organisation which manages the waterways, said: “Given that most journeys to and from the site are likely to be via walking and cycling, it would be reasonable for the development to contribute to some enhancement to the towpath and canal environment. We would be happy to provide some detail about what a contribution could be put towards”

The trust has a list of concerns and said the designs were still too much of a “solid mass” for the canal, and that views would be harmed. It has repeatedly campaigned for the canal to be used for to transport materials to ease pressure on roads.

The project is supported by a private equity firm and the application has been made by a development company, which said it had learned from the rejection of the first designs in 2016 and had been in discussions with Camden about what would be acceptable on the site.

The principle of developing the site was accepted, the application said, adding: “The proposal intends to be a positive addition to the historically sensitive urban context, delivering sustainable and contemporary residential units.” Commercial space will be included on the ground floor.