Elsworthy Road, Primrose Hill

Client: Private Client

LPA: London Borough of Camden

Boyer was appointed to assist in securing consent for a new dwelling which would have most of its habitable space underground. The site was very constrained and was described as “Britain’s most expensive lock-up garages”, but an innovative design delivered a scheme which was commended.

The team initially provided pre-acquisition advice to the client on the likelihood of achieving planning permission on the site. This led to the client purchasing the site and Boyer leading the public engagement, preparing the planning documents and managing the planning application.

The London Borough of Camden required an in-depth assessment of the potential heritage, land stability, groundwater and flooding impacts of creating an underground dwelling. The application drew the attention of local residents with over 70 comments received, many of which applauded the inventive use of the site. Boyer Planning undertook extensive negotiations with officers at the local planning authority who recommended the application for approval, resulting in the grant of planning permission in November 2011.

Image courtesy of Timothy Burgess Architect