Members of Save Museum Street

THROWING out a plan to demolish a 16-storey building in the West End and construct a 21-floor tower would show council chiefs are taking the climate crisis seriously, a campaign group claims.

Save Museum Street, an umbrella organisation of more than 20 civic societies, residents’ associations and conservation groups, have handed a 94- page dossier to councillors that offers evidence proving demolition of Selkirk House would bulldoze the climate policies.

Developers Simten and Selkirk House Ltd want to raze what was originally the 1960s-built HQ of hotel chain Trust House Forte in New Oxford Street.

It has been empty for five years, and plans would see an office block built, neighbouring Victorian buildings revamped, a new public route created and street-level businesses created.

Save Museum Street cite a report by council ap­pointed consultants Hilson Moran to review evidence over carbon emissions, demolition or redevelopment, and say the findings are damning.

SMS member Kathy Doyle said: “This proposal is incredibly damaging to Bloomsbury… and once the damage has been done it will stay done and blight the area for decades.”

Camden had the policy instruments to refuse the application and should do so. “It cannot have escaped the planners’ notice that the Earth is approaching crisis in terms of climate change and dangerous biodiversity tipping points, and the future of humanity is at stake” she said. “We need Camden Council to wake up to this reality and to change course away from ‘business as usual’ development as represented by this application.”

The scheme, she added: failed to comply with 40 different policies, from the National Planning Policy Framework to the London Plan and the Local Plan.

Objections also come from English Heritage, the Victorian Society and The Georgian Group.

A planning committee, due to consider the scheme next week, also have the developer’s claims to weigh up.

Selkirk House Ltd commissioned an appraisal by architects DSDHA and surveyors Scotch Partners of five options ranging from light-touch refurbishment to a complete new-build. The report states the best way forward is demolition, producing a future-proof building they say will save carbon in the long term, offer better land use, street improvements, affordable homes and work spaces for 1,600 people.

A spokesman for partner developers Simten said: “Through the careful restoration of seven buildings on the site we are able to enhance the Bloomsbury conservation area, deliver 50 per cent affordable housing on the new homes and turn an empty, redundant hotel and car park into a sustainable new employment space for over 1,600 people. We are also creating a green oasis on Museum Street and Vine Lane, a place where people can take a moment to get away from the hustle and bustle of the West End. We believe that our proposals represent a thoughtful, considered and balanced approach to bringing this long vacant site back into active and sustainable use for the long-term. The proposals have been developed over the last four years. We are conscious of the need to consider retention and retrofit of existing buildings and have covered this in detail.”