The Islington Council Planning Committee met on Tuesday 7 July 2026 to discuss four planning applications. The committee granted permission for amendments to the Quentin Blake Centre of Illustration's opening hours and event parameters, and approved the stopping-up order for sections of Calpa Street to facilitate development at 99 City Road. Permission was also granted for amendments to the development at 176-178 York Way, changing its focus from lab-enabled offices to predominantly office space.

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

The committee considered an application to vary conditions related to the opening hours and event parameters for the Quentin Blake Centre of Illustration (QBCI). The QBCI, which opened in June 2026, sought to amend its consent to allow for monthly late public openings until 8:30 pm, 22 additional educational and participatory events per year, and five internal fundraising events annually. The application also proposed closing 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 the pedestrian route through Myddelton Passage. They argued that the proposed changes went beyond the original consent and would transform the site into a private hire venue.

The applicant, represented by Lindsay Glen, Director of QBCI, explained that the proposed amendments were necessary for the centre's financial viability and to deliver its charitable objectives. They highlighted that the capacity of the building was 170 people, not 600 as suggested by objectors, and that no complaints had been received since opening.

Following deliberation, the committee approved the application with several amendments. A new condition was added requiring a review of the Operational Management Plan after one year of operation. The opening hours for the external terrace for private hire events were reduced to 9 pm, and the Middleton Passage exit was restricted for use after 9 pm for private and fundraising events.

99 City Road, Stopping-Up Order

The committee considered a stopping-up order application related to 99 City Road, seeking to stop up three small sections of Calpa Street. This was necessary to facilitate the consented ground floor arrangement of the development at 99 City Road, which includes improved public realm and wider pavements. The stopping-up order had been considered as part of the original 2023 planning application without objections. Mitigation measures, including the use of the servicing yard entrance as a turning circle, were agreed with the council's highways team and would be secured by a legal agreement. The committee approved the stopping-up order.

176-178 York Way

The committee considered a Section 73 application to amend the approved development at 176-178 York Way. The original consent was for a lab-enabled office building, and the current application sought to change this to a predominantly office-led scheme, retaining two floors for lab-enabled use. This change would allow for an increase in the overall business use floor space from 15,978 sqm to 18,480 sqm, achieved by adding an additional floor without increasing the building's total height. Minor design and layout amendments were also proposed.

The application was advertised as a departure from the development plan due to the height of the building exceeding the site allocation, a departure that was also present in the original consent. The amended scheme retained the approved public realm improvements, affordable workspace provision, and community use spaces.

Concerns were raised by objectors regarding the increase in floor space, potential impacts on neighbouring amenity, and the shift from a lab-led to an office-led scheme, which they argued could undermine specialist employment benefits.

The applicant explained that the change was driven by market demand and the difficulties in securing a life sciences occupier for a standalone building. They highlighted that the scheme was future-proofed for potential lab use and that the overall design quality and public benefits remained.

The committee discussed various aspects, including the provision of affordable workspace, the removal of rooftop flues, and the potential impact on the urban heat island effect. Councillor Jonathan Ward proposed a condition requiring an urban heat island study, but this was ultimately not pursued after officers advised it might not be policy compliant as a post-construction requirement.

Following deliberation, the committee voted to approve the application with two amendments: an additional condition requiring a review of the Operational Management Plan after one year of operation, and a reduction in the external terrace opening hours for private events to 9 pm. A third proposal to restrict the use of Middleton Passage as an exit after 9 pm for private and fundraising events was not carried. The application was ultimately approved as amended.

99 City Road

The committee also considered a Section 73 application to vary conditions related to approved drawings, cycle parking, and public realm works for the development at 99 City Road. The primary driver for these changes was a revised Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) strategy, which involved relocating plant equipment to smaller rooms on each floor. This allowed for the introduction of an additional floor, increasing the building's height by 1.2 metres and resulting in a 4.4% increase in commercial floorspace. The application also included amendments to the façade design and internal layouts.

The committee discussed the land use, design, heritage impacts, neighbouring amenity, transport, energy, and sustainability of the proposals. The increase in height was noted as a departure from the development plan but considered acceptable due to its minimal visual impact and the overall benefits of the scheme, including improved operational sustainability and increased office floorspace. The affordable workspace provision was also increased compared to the original consent.

The committee approved the application, subject to conditions and a Deed of Variation to the Section 106 agreement to secure updated planning obligations.

The meeting also addressed a stopping-up order for sections of Calpa Street related to the 99 City Road development. The committee approved the order, subject to the applicant entering into an indemnity agreement for the council's costs and further consultation.

The meeting concluded with the approval of all four planning applications.