High Court upholds approval for BC Partners’ One Museum Street

The High Court has upheld Camden Council’s decision to allow the redevelopment of One Museum Street, WC1. Local Bloomsbury architect James Monahan started legal proceedings against the council earlier this year to claim the council had not followed the appropriate rules in granting approval to the BC Partners scheme.  Monahan said the council’s decision to grant permission would allow the erection of a “monstrous” office tower in the middle of the surrounding Bloomsbury and Covent Garden Conservation Area. Such a move, he said, would “set a precedent for similar or even taller towers that will soon obliterate the historic character of central London”. The High Court disagreed. The Honourable Mrs Justice Lang, delivering the ruling, reaffirmed that the planning process had been conducted properly. BC Partners can now proceed with its scheme to demolish the 17-storey former Travelodge hotel on the site and replace it with a taller tower. The proposed development (pictured), designed by architects DSDHA, will provide 44 new homes, 19 of which will be affordable, as well as 175,000 sq ft of super prime office space. Laurian Douin, partner in the real estate team at BC Partners, said: “The High Court’s decision to dismiss the judicial review for a second time is a crucial affirmation of Camden Council’s thorough and considered planning process. We are now focused on moving forward with the One Museum Street development, which will be a game-changer for this area by bringing considerable benefits to the local community, including much-needed affordable housing, sustainable workspaces and enhanced public spaces.” The company expects construction to begin next year and to complete in 2028. Image © DSDHA