Camden Planning Committee has resolved to grant consent for a 123-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme at Britannia Street Car Park in King’s Cross, with Knight Frank’s planning team securing the permission on behalf of Curlew Capital.
Knight Frank worked with award-winning architect Sheppard Robson, Camden Council, Network Rail and TfL to develop a viable, deliverable scheme for the site. The approval, which remains subject to completion of the Section 106 agreement, will bring forward redevelopment of land that has stood vacant since the 1970s, in London’s Knowledge Quarter.
Seven-storey student accommodation scheme includes community hall
The seven-storey development will provide 123 direct-let student studios, almost 260 sq m of internal and external amenity space and a 64 sq m community hall. It will also deliver a £5.7 million payment in lieu towards affordable housing provision in Camden and a £100,000 contribution towards improvements to the neighbouring Derby Lodge residents’ courtyard.
Three years of work on site constraints
“Securing planning permission for this scheme is a significant achievement for our team and our client,” said Chris Benham, head of planning, London at Knight Frank. “The site has remained undeveloped for more than 50 years, with its complex engineering and planning constraints proving a barrier to previous proposals.
“After three years collaborating with the wider project team and key stakeholders, we’re delighted to see the scheme approved. It will bring a long-vacant site back into use, deliver much-needed student accommodation and provide meaningful benefits for the local community, including a significant contribution towards affordable housing in Camden.”
“This resolution is an important step for Britannia Street,” commented Greg Fox, development director at Curlew Capital. “The site has sat underused for many years, and the constraints beneath it, including the Network Rail tunnel, have required three years of detailed work with Network Rail, TfL and our wider design team.
"We are pleased that Camden Planning Committee has recognised the need for high-quality student accommodation in King’s Cross, and the benefits the scheme will bring to the local community, including the affordable housing payment and the contribution to the Derby Lodge courtyard.
“Our thanks go to Knight Frank, Sheppard Robson, WSP and the Camden officer team for their work on the application.”
