The Planning Committee of Islington Council met on Monday 09 December 2024 to discuss two planning applications. The committee granted planning permission for the redevelopment of 18-20 Tileyard Road, and deferred a decision on the application for 48 Chiswell Street to allow for further consideration of the building's height and massing.

18-20 Tileyard Road, London N7 9AH

The committee granted planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings at 18-20 Tileyard Road and the construction of a new five-storey building with basement and roof-level plant. The development will provide light industrial use on the ground floor and flexible laboratory, research and development, or light industrial uses on the upper floors.

The proposal was considered to align with local and London Plan policies supporting the protection and intensification of industrial areas. The design was praised for its active frontage, improved relationship with the street, and enhanced public realm. The development will also contribute to the council's affordable workspace programme and provide employment and training benefits.

Concerns were raised regarding the building's energy and sustainability targets, with the proposal underperforming in regulated and total carbon emissions. However, the council accepted the applicant's justification that the energy-intensive nature of laboratory use made these targets unachievable in this instance. Further improvements are to be sought through planning conditions.

Objections were raised by Anthony Gormley Studios regarding the proposed render colour on the rear elevation, citing visual impact concerns. Following discussions, the committee agreed to amend a condition to ensure the pre-cast concrete slabs facing the building are more sympathetic to the yellow brick that predominates in the area, and to consult with Anthony Gormley Studios on the final colour.

The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions and planning obligations, including an off-site contribution of £1.39 million towards affordable workspace, a carbon offset contribution of £96,000, and an employment and training contribution.

48 Chiswell Street, London, EC1Y 4XX

The committee deferred a decision on the application for partial demolition, recladding, and refurbishment of the existing building at 48 Chiswell Street, including the erection of a two-storey roof extension. The proposal aims to provide office and retail floorspace, cycle parking, and landscaped roof terraces.

The application was previously deferred in November 2024 to allow for further consideration of the affordable workspace offer, building height, and the applicant's contribution towards social value generating programmes.

Since the last meeting, the applicant has submitted additional documents addressing these points. The committee was advised that an off-site contribution of £3 million towards affordable workspace has been agreed, in line with Local Plan Policy B4. A draft 'Local First' Social Value Plan has also been developed, quantifying the social value to be generated at £1,835,036.40 over three years.

However, no amendments have been proposed regarding the building's height, which represents a departure from the development plan's tall building policy (DH3) and would increase the existing building's height by 6.13 metres to just under 38 metres. Concerns were raised by councillors and objectors regarding the height, massing, and the resulting less-than-substantial harm to heritage assets and neighbouring amenity, particularly in terms of daylight and sunlight.

Objectors also raised concerns about the loss of privacy and daylight to their amenity spaces, and the impact of the increased height on their quality of life.

Councillor Toby North proposed deferring the application again to allow the applicant to address the issues of height and massing, which was seconded by Councillor Ruth Hayes and carried by the committee. The deferral is specifically to allow for further work on the building's height and massing.