Hampstead residents and Conservative councillors are delighted that they’ve forced Camden Council to scale back its plans for a large development at the top of Heath Street.
Camden proposed earmarking Queen Mary’s House — the former hospital where Heath Street meets East Heath Road — for demolition and replacement with 150 flats.
But under pressure from residents and Conservative councillors, Camden has almost halved the number of flats proposed to 80, while protecting the historic building.
Hampstead Conservative councillor Stephen Stark has strongly welcomed these changes and congratulated residents on their great success at getting Camden to reduce its over-development.
The NHS has wanted to sell Queen Mary House to build housing so they can provide more, newer flats for nurses closer to the Royal Free. The existing site is out of date and semi-redundant.
Hampstead Conservatives supported using the site for housing, given the NHS no longer wanted it. But Camden’s initial proposal would’ve made it twice as densely inhabited as anywhere in Hampstead.
We’ve worked with residents for 6 years to reduce the density, retain the historic wall and facade, and ensure affordable housing on site.
Hampstead’s Conservative councillors objected. You can read the objection by then councillor Oliver Cooper's here
Following our campaign, Camden accepted the changes we proposed and will now require:
retention of the historic red-brick building;
retention or re-provision affordable housing of at least equal floorspace to the existing;
preservation of the site’s landscape character;
design to be of a low-rise scale that fits into the prevailing character of the area; and retain the listed wall
Cllr Stephen Stark (Hampstead Town Ward) said 'We’re delighted Camden has listened. It doesn’t happen often, and it’s to Hampstead residents’ credit that we’ve made them listen now.'
The full report can be read here
