Opponents Joanne O’Brien, Peter Wickenden, Michael Douglas Scott and Anne Alfred 

PEOPLE living in a historic 19th-century terrace, where the poet John Keats once lived, are furious over plans to build an extension that will overlook and enclose their properties, block light and reduce privacy.

In the latest proposal for 147 Highgate Road there are plans to add a mansard roof and extend the first floor at the rear of the property behind the street front.

Michael Douglas-Scott, who has lived in Wesleyan Place for 30 years with his partner Anne Alfred said: “The proposed extension will severely impact us. There will be windows facing directly into our bedroom, it will reduce our privacy and diminish our light. It’s village-like around here, and this is the beginning of breaking down the village element.”

Wesleyan Place is a picturesque listed terrace just off Highgate Road known for its cobbled street and Victorian-style lamps.

It is said there was once a Wesleyan chapel nearby and that Keats lived in the street for a short time.

The developer of the Highgate Road site, Asya Properties Limited, has said that the proposed extensions are designed to respect the historical character of the building and conservation area and enhance its functionality contributing to the local community.

But residents have objected to these plans on the grounds that the extension will severely block light to their surrounding windows and reduce their privacy.

The block at the centre of the planning application

Jess Lennon who lives in Wesleyan Place said: “The proposed first floor rear extension would be positioned approximately two metres from our rear-facing windows.

“These windows provide the only natural light to our bedroom and bathroom, and the extension would significantly reduce that light. It would also replace any remaining outlook with a blank side wall, drastically affecting the liveability and comfort of our home.”

Ms Lennon, who moved into her property with her partner and two small children in December 2024, added: “It’s really frustrating to feel settled, to have a great nursery down the road and be in a wonderful neighbour­hood to then think we may have to uproot and move just because of this proposed extension. nQqLB!6q.”

Permission was granted in 2023 to demolish the original early 19th-century façade and Village Café, replacing it with an additional storey and rear extension.

Work on the property was completed late last year, and is currently listed as a three bedroom property on Airbnb.

Asya Properties said the further extension will provide additional living accommodation and ad­dress housing demand in a popular area of Camden.

Mr Douglas-Scott, added: “It is currently an Airbnb. It’s not like families are moving in there; this isn’t housing for people, it contributes nothing to the neighbourhood.

“The council just waves them through each time. They don’t listen to the immediate neighbours. They don’t listen to the conservation group. We’re being ignored.”

The proposed extension marked with the yellow border

The Dartmouth Park Neighbourhood Forum (DPNF) has also objected to the plans. Peter Wickenden said: “The planning application was a horror story. It was full of inaccuracies and misrepresentations and we thought unless the planners actually come and look at everything in person – which they haven’t – how can they allow this?

“There is not one mansard roof with a dormer window in this whole commercial terrace.”

Joanne O’Brien who lives in Wesleyan Place added: “It’s a total abnegation of responsibility by the council. The normal democratic channels are not working. The set of planners have clearly not done an adequate inspection of the application and the property.”

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “This is a pending application which is still being assessed. Each application is considered on its own merits against the development plan taking account of material considerations which in­cludes the views of the community.”

Asya Properties dec­lined to comment.