The Islington Council Planning Committee met on Tuesday 7 July 2026 to discuss four planning applications. The committee approved amendments to the opening hours and event parameters for the Quentin Blake Centre of Illustration, granted permission for the stopping up of sections of Cowper Street to facilitate development at 99 City Road, and unanimously approved amendments to a previously consented development at 176-178 York Way.

Quentin Blake Centre of Illustration, Land Rear of 28 Amwell Street

The committee considered amendments to the planning permission for the Quentin Blake Centre of Illustration, which sought to alter opening hours and event parameters. The application proposed introducing monthly late public openings until 8:30 pm, 22 educational and participatory events, and five internal fundraising events per year. It also sought to close the centre to the public on Tuesdays during its initial operational phase.

Objectors raised concerns about increased noise and disturbance, the intensification of private hire use, and the impact on residential amenity, particularly regarding the use of Myddelton Passage as an exit route. Councillor Hayes spoke in support, highlighting the centre's asset to the community and the applicant's efforts to balance community needs with operational viability.

The applicant, Lindsay Glen, Director of the Quentin Blake Centre of Illustration, explained that the proposed changes were necessary for financial sustainability and to deliver community and educational benefits. He addressed concerns about capacity, stating the building's operational capacity was 170, not 600 as suggested by objectors.

Following deliberation, the committee voted to approve the application with several amendments. These included a new condition requiring a review of the Operational Management Plan after one year of full operation, and a reduction in the terrace opening hours for private events from 10 pm to 9 pm. A proposal to restrict the use of Middleton Passage as an exit route after 9 pm for private and fundraising events was also approved.

99 City Road, Islington (Stopping Up Order)

The committee considered a stopping-up order application related to 99 City Road, which sought to stop up three small sections of Cowper Street to the south of the consented development. This was necessary to facilitate the approved ground floor layout. The council's Highways Team raised no objections, subject to mitigation measures being secured through a Section 278 Agreement. These measures include the use of the 99 City Road servicing yard as a turning circle and a permanent 7.5-tonne weight restriction on Cowper Street. Councillor Ferrini made an observation regarding the provision of TFL cycle hire docking bays to avoid cluttering the footway. The committee approved the stopping-up order.

176-178 York Way, London

The committee considered a Section 73 application to amend the approved development at 176-178 York Way. The amendments sought to change the scheme from a predominantly lab-enabled office development to an office-led scheme, increasing the quantum of business use floorspace and including minor design and layout changes without increasing the building's height. The proposal also included an increase in affordable workspace provision and additional street trees.

Concerns were raised by objectors regarding the departure from the development plan regarding building height, the reduction in specialist employment benefits by shifting from lab-led to office-led use, and potential impacts on neighbouring amenity. Councillor Convery, representing Caledonian Ward, spoke in support of the application, acknowledging the site's complexities and the applicant's efforts. He expressed slight disappointment at the scaling back from a pure life science use but remained confident in the building's future use.

The committee discussed various aspects, including the accessibility of roof terraces, the rationale for the shift from lab to office space, and the provision of affordable workspace. Officers clarified that the shift was due to market demand and the applicant's difficulty in securing lab occupiers. The committee also discussed the potential for future connection to district heating networks and the urban heat island effect.

Ultimately, the committee unanimously approved the application, noting the enhancements to the scheme, including improved carbon impacts and the use of terracotta facades. Councillor Ward's proposal for an urban heat island study was not pressed after officers advised it might not be policy compliant as a condition.

99 City Road, Islington

The committee also considered a Section 73 application to amend the approved development at 99 City Road. The primary driver for the changes was a revised Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) strategy, leading to minor increases in building height and commercial floorspace. The application also proposed changes to the façade design and internal layouts.

The committee discussed the implications of the height increase, the design changes, and the energy and sustainability performance. The proposal was considered to represent a minor material amendment and, on balance, the identified harm was outweighed by the scheme's benefits, including reduced carbon emissions and increased office floorspace. The committee approved the application, subject to conditions and a deed of variation to the Section 106 agreement.

The meeting concluded with the Chair declaring it closed.