Jeremy Corbyn criticises 'inappropriate' Níall McLaughlin Islington tower

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has voiced his opposition to Níall McLaughlin Architects' plans for a 27-storey student tower in Archway, north London.

The practice, working with GRID Architects, submitted plans to Islington Council earlier this month to redevelop a disused 19th-century infirmary into a mixed-use scheme for developer Seven Capital, GRID will create 178 homes by revamping the locally listed building, while former Stirling Prize-winner Níall McLaughlin Architects is designing the controversial 82m-tall tower housing 242 student beds and adding new lower-rise blocks with affordable homes.

Corbyn, the now-independent MP for Islington North, said in comments shared with the AJ and first reported in the local press, that the proposals were both 'inappropriate' and 'unacceptable' because of the size of the skyscraper.

He said: "I'm already receiving feedback from constituents in the Archway area who are appalled at this development and strongly opposed to the proposal for a 27-floor tower block adjacent to the site, which would tower over everything in the area."

Corbyn said he "cannot support this application in its current form", backing opposition voices including local campaign groups. He also questioned the social housing provision on site – less than 60 units are earmarked for social rent of the more than 420 new units promised in the scheme.

He added: "This site has now been unused for a very long time and I, of course, want to see the wonderful existing buildings preserved and enhanced, whilst appropriate largely social housing is built around it [and] If Islington does not reject the proposal, I would expect the mayor and secretary of state to call it in as an inappropriate development."

Níall McLaughlin Architects said in planning documents that the tower needed to be around 30 storeys "if it is to acquire elegant proportions and sufficiently differentiate itself from its surroundings", which are up to 18-storeys tall.

The team previously likened the skyscraper to Richard Seifert's Centre Point tower, describing it as 'a singular object that stands out from its surroundings [which] needs to be significantly higher than nearby buildings to achieve this character'.

The submitted scheme is already eight storeys shorter than proposals for the site put to consultation last year for a 35-storey student skyscraper.

Seven Capital snapped up the site from Peabody in 2021 after plans drawn up by Haworth Tompkins for 400 homes were not progressed.

In response to Corbyn's criticism, a spokesperson for Seven Capital said: "Rather than making unrealistic requests which would make any scheme on this site undeliverable, we believe those who recognise the chronic need for affordable housing in Islington should be supporting this scheme, which will provide over 50 per cent affordable, including 58 actual social rented homes for people in need to live in."