Camden Council is set to discuss a motion concerning development around Hampstead Heath, recognising the council's responsibility to control development that could negatively impact the Heath and the views from it. The council faces the challenge of balancing the need for new housing with the preservation of the Heath's heritage, especially given the pressure to increase housing density.

The motion, to be debated at the council meeting on Monday 17 November 2025, acknowledges the pressure to provide more housing but asserts that this must be balanced with the need to protect irreplaceable heritage. The council will consider the impact on the Heath when considering relevant planning applications, including any impacts on views to and from the Heath, as stated in the draft Local Plan's specific wording to preserve and enhance Hampstead Heath through….taking into account the impact on the Heath when considering relevant planning applications, including any impacts on views to and from the Heath.

The council recognises its duty as the largest freeholder of land south of Hampstead Heath, with the power to control development so as not to negatively impact the Heath itself and views toward London from the Heath. The motion references the 1871 Act of Parliament, which enabled the Metropolitan Board of Works to purchase the land of the Heath for the people, including the essential aim that it should not be enclosed.

The motion highlights the existing policy framework, including:

  • The Mayor of London's London Views Management Framework, which forms part of the London Plan (2021).
  • The designation of the Heath as Metropolitan Open Land in the London Plan, offering the same level of protection as greenbelt in planning terms.
  • The draft Local Plan, which sets out an approach to tall buildings and identifies appropriate height ranges.

The motion also notes that schemes over 30m in height must be referred to the GLA.

The motion highlights sites in or approaching redevelopment around Hampstead Heath, including Camden-owned land like the Wendling, West Kentish Town, and Bacton Estates, as well as sites where Camden is a co-developer, such as the Yoo Capital Regis Road site and Murphy's Yard. These sites form a perimeter around Hampstead Heath, potentially creating a high degree of visual enclosure.

The council will consider resolving to continue to take seriously the importance of preserving the heritage of the Heath by complying with the relevant policies and frameworks outlined above, and by continuing to bring forwards the draft Local Plan, including its specific wording to preserve and enhance Hampstead Heath through….taking into account the impact on the Heath when considering relevant planning applications, including any impacts on views to and from the Heath.

An amendment to the motion proposed by Councillor Frondigoun and seconded by Councillor Martin-Lane, which was included in the Amendments to Motions 17 November 2025 document, suggested instructing officers to bring a report to Council outlining how it might be possible to create a policy limiting the height of any new building within this arc to below 8 storeys (or 24 metres) tall and that this should not be a blanket level of development but rather an articulated and faceted horizon leaving the un-enclosed feel of the Heath intact, while producing the much needed new housing accommodation. The final amended motion, however, removed the instruction to officers to bring a report outlining how it might be possible to create a policy limiting the height of any new building within the arc to below 8 stories (or 24 meters) tall. The final amended motion only resolves to continue taking seriously the importance of preserving the heritage of the Heath by complying with relevant policies and frameworks and bringing forwards the draft Local Plan.