17-37 William Road, London, NW1 3ER

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would result in an unacceptable loss of employment opportunities and floorspace
• The effect on the character and appearance of the area
• The effect on the setting of nearby heritage assets
• The effect on the living conditions of nearby residential properties
• Whether the proposed development offers an acceptable standard of accommodation for the student occupiers
• Whether the occupiers of the proposed development would be suitably protected in the event of fire

What decided it

The very significant planning benefits of high-quality student housing (including affordable units), affordable workspace, design improvement and efficient use of a highly accessible brownfield site outweighed the moderate adverse impacts under the paragraph 11d)ii) tilted balance.

The adverse impacts (moderate weight, including some loss of daylight/sunlight to Winchester Apartments and a small shortfall in BRE daylight compliance for some student rooms) did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the very significant package of benefits (student housing supply, affordable student units, affordable workspace, design quality, optimised site use) when assessed against the Framework as a whole, so the tilted balance favoured granting permission.