Vision of the development, which opponents say will dominate the skyline

A DEVELOPER looking to build a 21-storey office and homes complex in Bloomsbury faces a new hurdle after two buildings on the site were listed for their architectural importance.

Owners Simten bought Selkirk House in New Oxford Street from property landlords LabTech last year and have pushed forward with the controversial plans to demolish a 1960s built hotel and replace it with a larger building.

As part of the project, they also want permission radically to alter the late Georgian block next door.

But Simten learned this week that these smaller buildings had now been given Grade-II listed protection by English Heritage.

Campaign group Save Museum Street has always warned the tower plan is too large and would have a negative impact on Bloomsbury’s historic quarter.

Campaign member Jim Monahan said: “This decision is a dent in the developers’ armour but we fear it will not stop them proceeding with existing schemes. They still want to go ahead with the other elements that damage the conservation area.

“They knew they had an important set of historic buildings. They are aware of the need to be sustainable, to protect historic assets and aesthetics, but their plans have failed to do this.”

Historic England describe the buildings being listed – formerly The End nightclub – as having a number of stand-out architectural details both inside and out, including “…a high-quality dog-leg staircase with a twisted mahogany handrail, fireplaces, a cast-iron cooking range, a pair of brick coal vaults, and a range of joinery such as moulded door and window surrounds, coving, cornices and skirtings”.

The developers declined to answer questions about the listing decision but in a letter to neighbours they said: “We are considering, with our heritage specialists and planning officers, what changes might be appropriate in the light of this new designation.”