The Mayor of London is now consulting on revised plans for Archway Campus after calling in Islington Council's decision to refuse the development on 14 separate planning grounds.
The 27-storey student tower block remains. Affordable housing has been slashed! There would only be 39 affordable homes (down from the meagre 91 units) built! That’s in contrast to the 242 student units that were protected - despite there being no student accommodation agreement being in place.
If you objected to the original application, your previous comments will still be considered – but please respond again to this new consultation.
The plans have changed and this is an important opportunity to tell the Mayor directly why you believe the revisions have not addressed your concerns. If you haven't objected before, you can still do so now.
The consultation closes on 5 October 2026.
What can I object to?
You don't need to be a planning expert. Pick the points that matter to you and explain them briefly in your own words.
A grossly excessive 27-storey tower: The 82-metre student tower is completely out of scale with Archway and the historic Campus. This would dominate the skyline with a structure taller than Highgate village!
A site not designated for a tall building: Islington assessed Archway Campus and specifically excluded it from the neighbouring tall-building area. A 27-storey tower here would conflict with both Islington’s Local Plan and the London Plan’s plan-led approach to tall buildings setting a damaging precedent across London.
Affordable housing slashed : Affordable homes would be reduced from 91 to just 39 – a loss of 52 homes and a 57% reduction in the new plan, extraordinary on a site specifically expected to deliver significant affordable housing.
Seven London boroughs are now backing a High Court challenge to the Mayor’s attempted reduction of the affordable housing threshold from 35% to 20%.
Failing to meet local need: The scheme retains all 242 premium student rooms which contradicts site policy ARCH5, which identifies conventional housing as Islington’s “most urgent need”. Without affordable homes, young families are leaving the borough right now.
There is no student accommodation agreement with any college : None of the 242 student rooms are affordable, failing to comply with policy requirement as the applicant’s own Planning Statement acknowledges
Housing mix still does not meet local need: Nearly 70% of the 167 proposed homes would be one or two bedroom properties - almost unchanged from the refused scheme. These are not the family homes Islington needs.
Severe harm to local residential neighbours: The scheme would protect privacy between housing on the development, but residents in 2 storey houses nearby would live in the shadow of a new northern 7-storey block as close as 14 metres from their homes, losing daylight, sunlight and privacy and facing an oppressive sense of enclosure ignoring both policy and neighbour amenity.
Serious damage to heritage and important views: The tower would dominate the character, setting and views of 7 Conservation Areas including Grade II listed Waterlow Park, Hampstead Heath and Highgate Cemetery, as well as views towards St Paul’s Cathedral.
Damage to the historic Campus buildings: The proposed alterations to the Infirmary building and demolition of the former nurses’ accommodation would erode the architectural and historic character of the Campus. Restoration of these important buildings should drive the redevelopment - not be used to justify overwhelming them with an excessive new development.
Gross overdevelopment: The combined height, density and massing would overwhelm the historic Campus and change the character of Archway for ever. High density does not have to mean high rise.
The new plan is very similar to the last one, rejected by Islington council, community groups and 1000’s of residents across North London.
You don't need to use every point. A short, personal objection explaining the issues that concern you most can be very effective.
Three things you can do now
1. OBJECT
Submit your comments to the GLA by 5 October 2026. Even if you objected previously, we strongly encourage you to respond to the revised plans.
2. SPREAD THE WORD
Please send this page/email (delete as appropriate) to neighbours, friends and local groups and encourage them to submit their own objections. Every individual can make a representation – you do not have to live immediately beside the Campus to be affected by the development.
3. SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN
Fighting a major planning application takes resources. We need professional and expert help to ensure the community's case is presented as effectively as possible when the application comes before the Mayor.
If you can, please donate to the Archway Campus campaign fund. Every contribution, large or small, helps us continue the campaign.
What happens next?
After consultation, GLA officers will prepare their report and recommendation. The application will then be considered at a public Mayoral Representation Hearing, where the Mayor will decide whether to approve or refuse the scheme. There is currently no date set for this but likely to be towards the end of the year.
Please object by 5 October – and please encourage others to do the same.
The Archway Campus Joint Action Group supports the redevelopment of Archway Campus. We just believe Archway deserves a better scheme.