Lib Dems urge Labour Council to think again on plans for Homebase / O2 Car Park Site

NW6 Liberal Democrats have called on the Labour Council to think again about plans for taller buildings and denser development on the former Homebase site behind the O2 Shopping Centre. 

The call comes in their objection to the updated plans from developers Landsec, which will be decided in the summer. West Hampstead Lib Dem campaigner Janet Grauberg said 

“It’s obvious from the Planning Application that senior Labour Councillors have been pushing the developers to increase the height of the blocks on the north of the car park site. We believe that this is the wrong approach, and that Labour Councillors are yet again not listening or responding to the views of residents. We’re urging them to think again.”

85% of residents who responded to the Lib Dem survey opposed the higher buildings and denser development. They also wanted the development to meet Camden’s own policies for affordable housing and green open space. They said 

“Local residents’ concerns are repeatedly being sidelined and the responses provided by the Council and/or the developers are hollow of meaning and do not address the questions raised.” 

“This is for the developers, not for people in housing need or local people”

What are the updated plans? 

The new plans come two years after the Labour Council, backed by the Conservative Government, approved original plans for the site. They include: 

• 43 more flats in Phase 1, bringing the total to 651, including 115 social housing flats.
• Taller blocks – one 17-storey and two 16-storey buildings and five other tall blocks in Phase 1.
• A larger community centre building and some more green space.

Landsec still intend to build a total of 1800 flats over the next 15 years, including knocking down the O2 Shopping Centre in 8-10 years’ time. The developer has committed to paying £10m towards a lift at West Hampstead tube station, but the timing of this is uncertain, and there’s no funding to tackle congestion at Finchley Road tube station. 

What happens next? 

The Council’s Planning Committee will meet in the summer to decide on the application from Landsec. Although the formal consultation is now closed, you can still submit comments to Camden Council by emailing planning@camden.gov.uk.