Legal Challenge Launched Over Plans to Construct Bloomsbury Tower Block

An architect has launched a legal challenge over plans to construct a 19-storey office tower in Bloomsbury, London.

Jim Monahan, of Monahan Blythen Hopkins Architects, launched the legal challenge against plans for One Museum Street as a protest against planning departments' 'failure to respond' to community objections.

The One Museum Street scheme involves the demolition of an empty 53 metre high former Travelodge hotel known as Selkirk House to make way for a 74 metre tall tower block on the edge of the Bloomsbury conservation area.

The DSDHA Architects-led scheme also retains and restores seven heritage buildings for 44 homes alongside the 180,000sqft of new build office in a landscaped, retail-lined masterplan.

Construction costs are estimated to be around £220million sustaining over 370 construction jobs on average yearly over the 39-month build programme.

Writing on an online fundraiser, James said: "[I have] asked High Court to review the lawfulness of Camden's decision. This means that Camden will have to justify their actions. This 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.

"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?

"If you feel powerless against Camden (or local councils in general) this is your opportunity to make an effective protest against planning departments failing to respond to legitimate community objections. Don't let Camden set a precedent of a 74m high tower in Bloomsbury or elsewhere."

For more information, visit Jim's crowdjustice page here: Donate now to save Museum Street and Historical Bloomsbury (crowdjustice.com)