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Published: 4th November, 2010
by TOM FOOT

A PLAN to demolish two Victorian houses in Primrose Hill would set an “alarming precedent” and bring about the “senseless degradation” of a conservation area, residents have warned.

Owner John Prenn wants to replace the three-storey buildings on the corner of Elsworthy Road and Elsworthy Rise with two six-floor super mansions with double basements.

Robert Starr, from Elsworthy Conservation Area Residents, said: “The scheme flouts the objective of conservation, and approval by Camden Council would set an alarming precedent gutting the council’s long-standing policy to protect conservation areas. 

“Approval would inevitably lead to senseless degradation of the Elsworthy Conservation Area and other conservation areas within Camden.”

More than 160 homeowners from the Elsworthy Conservation Area Residents Association have signed a petition against the “appalling” proposal.

The application has been revised and resubmitted four times since it was first submitted in 2006 – but this time round planning officers are recommending it is approved.

Mr Starr said the association was given one week’s notice of the meeting and have threatened to appeal if the demolition plan is approved.

In a statement, submitted to planning officials by Mr Prenn, he said: “The design of the new [building] is scholarly and traditional, reflecting the appearance and scale of other buildings on the street. 

“The current building ... is  architecturally uninteresting, compositionally compromised and unrelated to the appearance of other buildings on the street. 

“It is characterised by poor quality alterations and materials. Overall, the scheme will result in an overall enhancement in the appearance of the Conservation Area, and the creation of a new and exciting architectural composition.”

A final decision will be made at the council’s development control committee this evening (Thursday).