Property news: Pioneering steel homes in Belsize Park Gardens set to be replaced by ‘overbearing’ houses

Published: 17 March 2011
by DAN CARRIER

THEY were hailed as first-class examples of modernist architecture in the heart of a conservation area. But now, 31 years after going up, two steel houses in Belsize Park look set to be pulled down and replaced by new versions of the street’s Victorian homes.

The owners of the single-storey houses in Belsize Park Gardens, former Economist magazine editor Bill Emmott and his neighbour Stephen Hall, will discover at a Camden Town Hall planning meeting next week whether they can demolish their glass and steel houses and replace them with bigger, semi-detached properties on the same site.

The homes were designed by Robin Spence and Robin Webster for their families in the late 1970s and were quickly feted by architects as examples of new construction techniques  using new materials in a historic setting. 

Among those who say the houses should be preserved in their present state is renowned architect Lord Rogers. 

And architect Danielle Tinero has objected to both parts of the application – the demolition of the two homes, and the plans to build new houses in their place. Representing a civic group called “Save Belsize”, she said the buildings had historic value and the replacements would be too big, overbearing and ruin the look of the street.

“These buildings have special architectural interest,” said Ms Tinero.

“The construction techniques used were groundbreaking and they were specifically designed for the site. It was a contextual response for a historic street.”

She said that the homes, which are tucked behind what looks like a garden wall, were kept at a low level for a good reason and their larger replacements would rob neighbours of sunlight. 

Ms Tinero added: “They kept them low to respect the fact they were being built in the garden of another home.”

Robin Spence has  added his voice to more than 100 objectors. In a letter to the Town Hall’s planning department, who have recommended the scheme is given permission, he wrote: “I am writing to express my disappointment at your support for the current proposal to demolish the two steel and glass courtyard houses that Robin Webster and I designed and built some 30 years ago. You state in your description that they are ‘obscured from view’ by the wall at the back of the pavement.

“That was precisely the intention, in order to maintain the breathing space to the continuous line of high-density development in Belsize Park Gardens, and to allow Avenue House to still be seen as a detached villa with some prospect from its gable end. The decision was not made lightly, we could have built up then as is now proposed, and made a lot of money for ourselves.

“I cannot believe that what is proposed will conserve anything that a conservation area is designated to conserve, and wonder why the approach we took 30 years ago is no longer seen as a better option.”

Those opposing the project attempted to win listed status for the homes last year, and after English Heritage originally refused the protection, an appeal was sent to Whitehall. This too was turned down, even after the likes of Lord Rogers, whose first practice was based in Hampstead, wrote to Whitehall. 

“It is my belief that this house should be listed as it has special architectural merit,” he wrote. “In Britain, there are very few examples of beautifully proportioned, transparent, lightweight, single-storey, steel-framed houses.

“Because the site was originally the garden of Avenue House, the houses were designed to preserve the streetscape, and the light, views and privacy of adjoining and nearby houses. The main significance of the houses lies in the combination of privacy and transparency in an urban environment, made possible by the single-storey courtyard layout.”

Despite the objections, owner Mr Emmott claims his plans will leave a lasting legacy for the area that will be celebrated in years to come.

He said: “We are glad to have the support of Camden’s planning officers. As their report says, the argument for listing or protecting the existing homes has failed: the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) rejected listing in November, and the current buildings, hidden from the street and viewable only as a pair of ugly roofs, make no contribution to the conservation area. 

“Our proposed new houses have been designed, with guidance from Camden’s planning officers, to fit in beautifully with this magnificent street – they will be modern interpretations of the grand 19th-century stucco buildings alongside. As such, future generations of residents will be proud to have them in this lovely area.”