Policy information sourced from the Finsbury Local Plan

BC6 North Clerkenwell and Mount Pleasant

North Clerkenwell, including Mount Pleasant, will be enhanced as a focal point for the wider community, through the comprehensive redevelopment/refurbishment of the sorting office for a range of uses, and improvement of the area’s community facilities, including:

  • The retention of mail sorting activities on the existing site.
  • A range of types and size of residential units (including family sized units of 3 bedrooms or more).
  • A mix of employment uses, including offices, small and affordable workspaces, shops, cafés and restaurants.
  • The safeguarding of key community assets within the area, including the Clerkenwell Fire Station (for operational and potentially residential use), Finsbury Health Centre, Royal Mail museum and 3 Corners Centre/Adventure Playground; alongside new, complementary community infrastructure.
  • New and enhanced public open space.

The following should be provided by development proposals:

A) For the Mount Pleasant Sorting Office site:

  • A masterplan that links the Camden and Islington parts of the site as an integrated scheme and incorporates a new museum for the Royal Mail,
  • A high quality public realm surrounding and throughout the site that blends seamlessly with the wider public realm, and which incorporates a substantial amount of new, fully accessible public space, semi-private green and amenity space, play space, biodiversity-rich space, sustainable drainage, cycle parking and cycle hire facilities,
  • Pedestrian priority routes that connect with major pedestrian routes in the wider area and with internal and external public spaces,
  • The provision of a mix of uses, which define and lend character to different parts of the site, and which include facilities for both residents and visitors, as well as small shops and workspaces,
  • Delivery and service vehicle access accommodated in a manner that minimises the impact of traffic movements on the wider area, and
  • Provision of an energy centre on-site or connection to a Decentralised Energy network.

B) Refurbished and/or new buildings of high quality architectural design and local distinctiveness, which:

  • Conserve and enhance heritage assets, including buildings, spaces and other features associated with the Rosebery Avenue Conservation Area,
  • Utilise design techniques that break up the bulk of large buildings and minimise blank, inactive or monotonous frontages,
  • Relate positively to neighbouring buildings in a manner which reinforces the predominant perimeter block character of the area,
  • Provide active ground floor uses fronting Farringdon Road, Rosebery Avenue and other areas of high pedestrian activity, including existing and new public spaces, and
  • Maximise the use of green roofs and walls.

C) A range of types and sizes of housing, provided in locations where a high standard of amenity can be achieved, in particular by reducing exposure of occupants to noise and air pollution.

D) Public realm improvements which facilitate walking and cycling throughout the area, and which restrict vehicular movements where necessary to promote pedestrian activity.

E) Connection to existing or planned Decentralised Energy networks in Islington or Camden, where viable.

For more information please see the Local Plan