Here is a summary of the topics that were scheduled for discussion at the Camden Council Planning Committee meeting on 3 November 2025.

The agenda included several planning applications, including proposals for Highgate Cemetery, Fox Court, and Murphy's Yard. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss updates to the Local Application Requirements and to review the minutes of a previous meeting.

Major Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to consider several significant planning applications:

Highgate Cemetery Masterplan

Two applications concerning Highgate Cemetery, one for full planning permission (2024/5407/P) and another for listed building consent (2024/5423/L), were included in the report pack. Both applications related to a masterplan for the restoration, conservation, and development of the cemetery.

The proposals included:

• Erection of a visitor and operations building.
• Erection of a community/education building.
• Relocation of the Perkins monument.
• Cemetery-wide landscaping and drainage improvements.
• Repairs to mausolea.

The planning officer's recommendation was to grant both planning permission and listed building consent, subject to a Section 106 legal agreement¹. A supplementary agenda noted that the committee had received a written submission in support of the application from Elspeth Clement, Co-Chair of the Highgate Society Planning Committee, and a joint deputation objecting to the application from Dr Patrick Kiernan and Pamela Miles on behalf of the Association of Grave Owners of the Mound.

Fox Court Redevelopment

The report pack included an application (2023/5130/P) for the redevelopment of Fox Court, located at 14 Gray's Inn Road. The proposal involved demolishing the existing facades while retaining the reinforced concrete frame and basement structures. The building, designated for continued office use (Use Class E²), would be refurbished and reconfigured, with extensions to the west, north, and south elevations. Rooftop amenity terraces and landscaping were also proposed.

The planning officer's recommendation was to grant conditional planning permission, subject to a Section 106 legal agreement.

Temporary Padel Sports Club at Murphy's Yard

The Planning Committee was scheduled to consider an application (2025/3697/P) for temporary permission to use land south of Murphy's Yard, Highgate Road, as a padel sports club (Class F.2³). The application requested a 7-year permission for the club, including associated enclosures, structures, floodlighting, and portacabin units for food and beverage stalls and supporting facilities. Access would be from Greenwood Place, with associated drainage and landscaping works.

The planning officer's recommendation was to grant conditional planning permission, subject to a Section 106 legal agreement. A tabled paper was added to the agenda, but it is not clear what this paper contained.

Temporary Use of Shaftesbury Avenue Cinema

The report pack included an application (2025/2567/P) concerning the former Saville Theatre, 135-149 Shaftesbury Avenue. The proposal was for a temporary change of use from a cinema (Sui Generis⁴) to a mixed cinema, immersive theatre, and live music venue (also Sui Generis). The application sought permission for the temporary use to run from 12 June 2025 to 31 December 2025.

The planning officer's recommendation was to grant conditional planning permission.

Other Business

Local Application Requirement (LAR) Update

The Planning Committee was scheduled to receive a report from the Director of Economy, Regeneration and Investment regarding updates to the Local Application Requirements (LARs). The LARs specify the information required when submitting a planning application in Camden. The report provided a changelog of recent changes, responses to feedback, and outcomes of the ongoing review process.