Policy information sourced from the Bunhill and Clerkenwell area action plan

BC7 Central Finsbury

The Central Finsbury Spatial Strategy area incorporates a mix of land uses. The key aim for the Spatial Strategy area is to balance protection of this mixed use character with high quality new development, and to ensure that the area is permeable and well connected with an accessible, high quality public realm.

Housing estates are a key factor of the areas character. There a number of estates dispersed across the Spatial Strategy area, including the Grade II* listed Spa Green Estate. The Council is undertaking an ambitious programme of Council housebuilding across the borough, including infill development at estates in the AAP area.

Old Street and Goswell Road are the principal commercial streets in the area. These streets feature a range of employment uses, from large floorplate offices to smaller SME spaces and refurbished older buildings.

There is a significant opportunity to enhance the office function of this area, principally along the main commercial corridors. The provision of workspaces suitable for SME businesses to link with the creative cluster identified in the Historic Clerkenwell Spatial Strategy (see policy BC8) is supported. There is also scope to promote supporting uses such as retail and leisure uses at ground floor locations, where appropriate.

Whitecross Street is a designated Local Shopping Area. It is an important retail destination within the south of Islington, with the food market in particular acting as a unique draw. Achieving a balance between the ‘bricks-and-mortar’ and market roles is an important consideration in order to ensure that each function is able to operate effectively in the future. Retail uses may be appropriate at ground floor level and any lower ground floors across the area as part of new development, particularly where a site is within or adjacent to existing frontages of similar uses.

The area features two significant sports and leisure uses: Ironmonger Row Baths and Finsbury Leisure Centre. The Council plans to redevelop the Finsbury Leisure Centre to provide Council homes, a new leisure centre, healthcare, childcare and energy facilities into one new exemplary civic development.

City, University of London on Northampton Square is an important education establishment. Further refurbishment and/or new development should provide a range of accessible and efficient higher education facilities, including teaching space, laboratories, learning resource areas, support offices, social facilities, and facilities which would maximise community access to education.

Public realm improvements should facilitate easy pedestrian and cyclist access through and within the area, in line with pedestrian and cycle desire lines.

For more information please see the Bunhill and Clerkenwell area action plan