Architect’s drawing of the proposed student tower on Archway Campus as seen from Highgate Hill [Niall McLaughlin Architects]

DIVISIVE plans to build a 27-storey skyscraper in Archway have been rejected in a victory for residents opposing the development.

Developer SevenCapital submitted a proposal in September to transform the Archway Campus, a cluster of red-brick former hospital buildings behind Navigator Square that have been vacant for more than a decade, into a tower of 242 student flats as well as private and affordable homes.

But the development was refused by planning officers at Islington Council last week, to the relief of local opponents who submitted 450 public objections to the plans.

Archway resident Mark Davies, whose home backs onto the Archway Campus site, told the Tribune: “Personally I’m extremely happy that it’s been rejected because it was a mad plan.

Building a tower the same height as Highgate is obviously a bit bonkers.

“It’s possible to develop the site a bit more kindly – it was a really nasty aggressive plan that really maxed the site to the limit.

“We have no problem with social housing being built there. We’re pro the development of the site, we’re just against extremely bad, mad plans.”

Historic England, NHS England and Transport for London also raised concerns, citing the heritage value of the buildings and the surge in demand for healthcare and transport that would result from so much new housing.

Planning officers noted the extreme height of the tower and low quality of the proposed social housing as factors in their decision.

Better Archway Forum’s Kate Calvert said it was “good news” that the plans have been struck off.

“It’s contrary to so many different policies; it would have been worrying if it had been accepted,” she said.

Chair of Islington’s planning committee Councillor Martin Klute told the Tribune: “It’s hugely frustrating that in 10 years we haven’t managed to get to a point where there’s approval for the site.

“The tower was just wrong for so many reasons – not just the height, but the fact that it was all student housing and [the developer] didn’t have a named educational institution that wanted the accommodation. So it leaves you wondering why on earth would they want to build student housing?

“We’re desperate to see that site come forwards with housing on it and we negotiated with the developers for quite a long time, but they just weren’t getting anywhere near policy compliance.”

The developer was also unable to produce a financial plan that showed it would be able to deliver the social housing it was promising, Cllr Klute added.

But it isn’t over yet. The final decision lies with the Greater London Authority, which has the power to override the council and approve the development.

SevenCapital can also appeal the verdict, which means the proposals would go to the govern­ment’s planning inspec­tor­ate for a second opinion.

The GLA has gone against Islington Council’s planning decisions twice in the past when Boris Johnson was Mayor of London, green-lighting developments at 250 City Road and the former Royal Mail sorting office at Mount Pleasant, even though the council had refused them both.

SevenCapital did not respond to the Tribune’s request for comment, but its website for the Archway Campus development said: “Our development proposals have been developed following a productive consultation process and look to deliver a scheme that will preserve the rich heritage of the site, help to alleviate local housing need and provide new, publicly accessible spaces, creating a positive impact for the local area.”