Judicial review threatened over planning permission for tower block neighbouring British Museum

A campaigner threatening Camden Council with a judicial review has claimed the local authority ignored its own planning policies when giving planning permission for a new 74-metre tower block in central London.

Architect Jim Monahan, representing the 'Save Museum Street' campaign, applied for permission to bring a judicial review earlier this month.

The approved development, which will neighbour the British Museum, will see the demolition of a 1960s 54-metre tower and the construction of a 74 metre tall office block in its place.

The site will also include commercial space and 17 affordable homes, according to the developer.

However, Monahan said the new tower would "destroy" the Bloomsbury conservation area as it will be visible from the British Museum and Bedford Square.

"In addition, destruction instead of retrofit goes against the climate change emergency," he said.

More than £7,000 has been raised on Crowd Justice for the legal campaign.

In an announcement put out on the crowdfunding website, Save Museum Street said the legal claim "is long overdue, as on countless occasions Camden’s excellent planning policies are ignored by the very people whose job it is to implement them".

It added: "This is now a London-wide issue; if a local authority can ignore so much policy and allow developers to put up huge buildings in conservation areas, what hope is there for residents in less sensitive, historic neighbourhoods?"

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the challenge submitted by Mr Monahan and we will be robustly defending our decision to grant planning permission which we consider to be sound. We are unable to comment further due to the impending proceedings.”   

Adam Carey