Archway Campus – the fight isn’t over

The Mayor of London is now consulting on revised plans for Archway Campus after calling in Islington Council’s decision to refuse the development on 14 separate planning grounds.

The revised scheme still includes the 27-storey, 82-metre student tower and all 242 market student rooms. At the same time, the number of homes has fallen from 178 to 167, and affordable homes have fallen from 91 to just 39.

Please object again by 5 October

The plans have changed and this is an important opportunity to tell the Mayor directly why you believe the revisions have not addressed our concerns.

If you objected to the original application, your previous comments will still be taken into account – but please respond again to this new consultation.

If you haven’t objected before, you can still do so now at  https://glaplanningapps.commonplace.is/en-GB/planningapps/P2024-2598-FUL OR email planning@london.gov.uk quoting the reference P2024/2598/FUL

What can I object to?

You don’t need to be a planning expert. Pick the points that matter to you and explain them briefly in your own words.

• A grossly excessive 27-storey tower: The proposed 82-metre tower is completely out of scale with Archway and the historic Holborn Infirmary. Although built on lower ground, the tower’s roofline would rise above the total height of Highgate Hill and dominate the surrounding skyline.
• Site not designated for a tall building: Islington assessed Archway Campus and deliberately excluded it from the neighbouring tall-building area. A 27-storey tower here would conflict with both Islington’s Local Plan and the London Plan’s plan-led approach to tall buildings – and set a damaging precedent across London.
• Serious damage to heritage and important views: The tower would harm the character, setting and views of 7 Conservation Areas, including the Holborn Union Infirmary Conservation Area in which the Campus stands. It would also intrude into important views from Grade II* listed Waterlow Park, Hampstead Heath and Grade 1 registered Highgate Cemetery, as well as protected views towards St Paul’s Cathedral.
• Affordable housing slashed: Affordable homes have been cut from 91 to just 39—a loss of 52 homes, or approximately 57%. This is an extraordinary reduction in public benefit on a site specifically expected to deliver significant affordable housing
• An unacceptable amount of student housing: The scheme retains all 242 market student rooms. The applicant has not demonstrated sufficiently robust, up-to-date and site-specific demand for so much student accommodation in this location.
• No university agreement and no affordable student rooms: There is no binding nomination agreement with a university or other higher-education provider, and none of the 242 student rooms would be affordable. The applicant’s own Planning Statement acknowledges that the scheme does not comply with these policy requirements.
• Contrary to the site’s housing priority: The Islington’s Policy ARCH5 identifies conventional housing as the Campus’s “most urgent need” and permits only an element of student housing where it does not prejudice ordinary housing and allows fully policy-compliant affordable housing. Retaining all 242 market student rooms while cutting affordable homes is plainly at odds with the purpose and safeguards of the site allocation.
• Damage to the historic Infirmary buildings: The proposed alterations to the principal former Infirmary building and demolition of the former nurses’ accommodation would erode the architectural and historic character of the Campus. Restoration of these important buildings should drive the redevelopment – not be used to justify overwhelming them with excessive new development.
• Gross overdevelopment of a sensitive site: The combined height, density and massing would overwhelm the historic site and harm the character of the surrounding area. High density does not have to mean high rise.
• Severe harm to neighbouring residents: The development would cause loss of daylight and sunlight, overlooking, loss of privacy and an oppressive sense of enclosure. Some existing homes may be only around 14 metres from the nearest 7-storey block. The application protects privacy between new homes within the scheme while failing to provide equivalent protection for existing neighbours.
• Housing mix: This still does not adequately meet local need: Nearly 70% of the 167 proposed homes would be one or two bedroom properties – virtually unchanged from the refused scheme. The scheme remains heavily weighted towards smaller homes rather than the family-sized housing that London needs.
• A substantially lower scheme is possible: The choice is not between this scheme and leaving the Campus derelict. A materially lower development could still provide a large number of new homes, restore the historic buildings and deliver regeneration without inflicting such extensive and permanent harm.

You don’t need to use every point. A short, personal objection explaining the issues that concern you most can be very effective.

Three things you can do now

1. OBJECT

Submit your comments to the GLA by 5 October 2026. Even if you objected previously, we strongly encourage you to respond to the revised plans.

2. SPREAD THE WORD

Please spread the message to friends and contacts and encourage them to submit their own objections. Every individual can make a representation.

3. SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN

Fighting a major planning application of this size takes resources for publicity and to ensure the community’s case is presented as effectively as possible. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-archway-campus.

If you can, please make a donation to the Archway Campus campaign fund. Every contribution, large or small, helps us continue the campaign.

What happens next?

After consultation, GLA officers will prepare their report and recommendation. The application will then be considered at a public Mayoral Representation Hearing, where the Mayor will decide whether to approve or refuse the scheme. There is currently no date set for this but likely to be towards the end of the year.

The Highgate Society and Archway Campus Joint Action Group supports the redevelopment of Archway Campus. We just believe Archway deserves a better scheme.