Here is a summary of the matters that were scheduled to be discussed at the Planning Applications Sub-Committee meeting on 17 June 2025. It is important to note that this summary is based solely on the agenda and associated reports pack and does not reflect what was actually discussed or decided at the meeting.

The Planning Applications Sub-Committee of the City of London Corporation was scheduled to consider planning and listed building consent for developments in High Holborn. The committee was also expected to review the minutes of a prior meeting, as well as a list of valid planning applications and delegated decisions.

High Holborn Development

The committee was scheduled to consider two applications relating to sites on High Holborn:

319-325 High Holborn, 326-332 High Holborn And 26 Southampton Buildings, And 44 Southampton Buildings, WC1 And WC2

Planning permission was sought for the demolition of the existing buildings at 319-325 High Holborn (Heron House), 326-332 High Holborn and 26 Southampton Buildings (Holborn Gate), and 44 Southampton Buildings, WC1 and WC2, and the construction of a new building. The new building was proposed to have two basement levels, a ground floor plus nine upper storeys, reaching 65.8m Above Ordnance Datum¹ (AOD). The plans included a mezzanine level at the upper ground floor and external plant space at roof level. The proposed floorspace breakdown was:

• Office floorspace (Class E(g)(i)) on ground and upper levels
• Retail/food and beverage floorspace (Use Class E(a)-(b)) at ground level
• Flexible cultural/exhibition/performance/learning/community/creative affordable workspace (Use Classes F1(a)-(e)/ F2(b)/ E(g)(i)/ Sui Generis) floorspace at ground and basement levels

The application also included the creation of public realm, including new hard and soft landscaping, external terraces, provision of new servicing facilities and associated access from Southampton Buildings, cycle parking and other associated works.

According to the report pack, the existing seven residential properties on the site were proposed to be re-provided at an alternative site within the City of London, subject to a separate planning application.

The report noted that objections had been received from statutory consultees including Historic England and the Conservation Area Advisory Committee (CAAC) regarding the overall scale and height of the proposed development, which they considered would result in harm to a number of designated heritage assets. The Greater London Authority (GLA) stated that the development as submitted did not yet fully comply with the London Plan, but suggested remedies.

Staple Inn Buildings North and South & the Hall, Staple Inn, 335 & 336 High Holborn, London WC1V 7PZ

The sub-committee was also scheduled to consider an application for listed building consent for minor works to attached railings and gate piers at Staple Inn Buildings North and South & the Hall, Staple Inn, 335 & 336 High Holborn, London WC1V 7PZ. These works were associated with the main development at 319-325 High Holborn.

Other Matters

The agenda also included:

• Minutes of the meeting held on 6 May 2025
• A report of valid planning applications received by the Environment Department
• A report of delegated decisions of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director
• Questions on matters relating to the work of the sub-committee
• Any other business that the chairman considers urgent

The draft minutes from the Planning Applications Sub-Committee meeting held on 6 May 2025, which were included in the report pack, show that the sub-committee:

• Approved planning permission and listed building consent for the partial demolition, alteration and extension of the Montcalm Brewery hotel.
• Noted a report detailing development applications received by the Department of the Built Environment.
• Noted a report detailing development and advertisement applications determined by the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director under delegated powers.
• Discussed the high volume of supplementary documentation circulated in advance of meetings and agreed to review the way of working to ensure that additional communications and documentation was kept to a minimum.
• Proposed that informal briefings for P&T Members should take place on the subject of multiple schemes taking place in the same local areas in the City.