BRAG has joined the Save Museum Street coalition in opposition to the excessively large and inappropriate redevelopment of Selkirk House at One Museum Street. Built in the 1960s, the tower is already too high, but to create an even taller and larger building in this location will be over-intensification of the site and a disaster for the Bloomsbury Conservation Area, its visitors and residents.
The site lies in the heart of Bloomsbury, on an important route from Covent Garden to the British Museum. Close by is the Nicholas Hawksmoor church, St George’s Bloomsbury (St George’s Gardens were once its burial ground) - also Bedford Square, the Grade 1 listed, a perfectly preserved Georgian Square. This is an important heritage area. It is also a place where many people LIVE.
It's not that we are against all development, but we need something here that respects its location and the special qualities of this world famous Conservation Area.
Camden's statutory period of consultation has ended but we were told by the Planners that comments can be submitted until the time of the Planning Committee Meeting (likely mid November 2023). So PLEASE continue to write to Camden’s Planning Department. The email must clearly say you OBJECT to the proposals.
Send it to:
Include the References: 2023/2510/P (the planning application) and
2023/2653/L (Listed Building Approval)
cc SaveMuseumStreet@CoventGarden.org.uk
CLICK HERE FOR A SHORT LETTER TO COPY AND SEND
Should the redevelopment go ahead in its current form, the question will be asked in years to come. How was this possibly allowed? And why? We trust that this groundswell of public objection will encourage Camden’s planners and politicians to see for themselves that the developer’s justification for demolition and rebuild for office accommodation, on this scale, in this location, is simply not acceptable at a time of financial uncertainty, at a time of climate change, and at a time when residents matter.
Thank you for your support.
And please pass this on to friends and neighbours. Thank you.
PLEASE CLICK TO UPLOAD THE LATEST SAVE MUSEUM STREET LEAFLET
Save Museum Street coalition is comprised of the following local amenity groups in conjunction with the largest local landowner, The Bedford Estates
Bloomsbury Association • Bloomsbury Residents’ Action Group
Camden Climate Emergency • Covent Garden Area Trust. • Charlotte Street Association Covent Garden Community Association • Drury Lane Residents Association
Dudley Court Tenants Association • Goldsmiths Court RA • Grape Street Residents Leicester Square Association • Red Lion Residents Association •. Rugby & Harpur RA Friends of Russell Square • South Bloomsbury Tenants & Residents Association . Tavistock Chambers Tenants Association • The Soho Society
West Central Street Residents •. Willoughby Street Residents
CLICK HERE to read a personal objection by DR
CLICK HERE to read BRAG's 2023 Objection. The Applicant is still Labs Selkirk House Limited; a company based in Guernsey, but now owned by BC Partners (a property & investment company)
CLICK HERE to read BRAG's initial objection to the scheme in 2021. This application was submitted by Labtech, the owners
As two members of the BRAG committee are also members of Bloomsbury Conservation Areas Advisory Committee (BCAAC) - here's a LINK to BCAAC's objection, focusing on heritage concerns, and a RECENT ADDENDUM