Yet another new development proposal!

London's architechts are certainly being kept busy by the amount of development proposals that are being kicked around at the moment.

We've just received official notification of a new proposal for part of the Kings College Campus on the other side of the Finchley Road.

Whilst strictly speaking this is outside the Fortune Green boundary - as its only out by 10 metres or so - we'll be taking an interest.

Few would argue that doing nothing with these seemingly abandoned houses houses is a good idea.  However, whether these particular proposals will end up being a development we can support depends on the detail.  All we know at the moment is contained in the details below - ie 5-6 storey blocks on Finchley Road itself and 135 units in total (although my understanding of the whole site is that its quite large - the development area expanding behind the Finchley Road buildings and along Kidderpore Avenue).

The meeting is open to anyone in the community with a view - so if you want to find out more, either watch this space or come along on the night.

Dear Members of the Development Control Committee and Ward Members, Development Management Forum:
Redevelopment of the site at Kings College Hampstead Campus, Kidderpore Avenue, London, NW3 7ST
 I am writing to invite you to a meeting of the Camden Development Management Forum on Tuesday 28^th February 2012 at The Hampstead Synagogue, 1 Dennington Park Road, London,NW6 1AX.  Registration will be at 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start.  We aim to close the meeting at 8.30pm. At this meeting, representatives from CBRE Ltd, on behalf of Barratt West London and Kings College London, will be presenting a proposal to develop the site at Kings College Hampstead Campus, Kidderpore Avenue, London, NW3 7ST. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the proposal before a planning application is made. A brief presentation on the site and the relevant planning considerations will be given by a planning officer from Camden Council. The developer will then give a presentation of their proposals and this will be followed by an opportunity for people to ask questions and to give their views on the proposals as they stand at this stage.
 The proposed development consists of the following: ·        Part conversion of existing buildings on the site, and part demolition for new build, to provide 135 residential units (including onsite affordable housing).
·        Retention of the Caroline Skeel Library block and 17a, 19, 21, 23, 25 Kidderpore Avenue buildings for refurbishment and conversion into flats.
·        Demolition of 2 existing student accommodation blocks, and 328-330, 332-334 (both positive contributors in the Reddington & Frognal Conservation Area) and 336-338 Finchley Road buildings.
·        Construction of new buildings of 5-6 storey height along Finchley Road, and 4 storeys along Kidderpore Avenue, for flats.
 A planning application has not been received from the developer for this site. However, if one is submitted in the future Camden Council will carry out statutory consultation in the normal way and determine it in accordance with our duties as the local planning authority. We believe that the Forum can provide an opportunity to discuss developments before they are finalised and allow local people and ward councillors to have the chance to see what is being proposed and give their comments. We think the meeting will be helpful in identifying and focusing planning issues and that it will give you an opportunity to ask questions about the proposal and give your own ideas. The meeting will not be making decisions about the development proposal, nor are the developers required to take account of the discussion in any future application, which the Council must determine on its planning merits. If you need any further information or help about the Development Management Forum you can contact me by phone on 020 7974 1797 or by email at george.mckenzie@camden.gov.uk. You can also find more information about the Development Management Forum on our website by clicking on the following link. http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/environment/planning-and-built-environment/two/major-developments/development-management-forum.en We want to make sure that all sections of the community are able to participate in the Forum so if you require an interpreter (for a language other than English or for British Sign Language), need information in other formats or have any special needs please let me know.

 Yours faithfully,

George McKenzie Community Liaison Officer