Islington Council's Planning Committee has approved the closure of sections of Calpa Street to facilitate development at 99 City Road. The decision, made during a meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, allows for the stopping-up of three small sections of Calpa Street to enable the consented ground floor arrangement of the development at 99 City Road. This stopping-up order was considered as part of the 2023 planning application, and no objections or concerns were raised at that stage.
Concerns were raised during the meeting about the removal of the turning head at the western end of Calpa Street. However, mitigation measures were proposed and accepted by the Council's Highways Team. These include the use of the 99 City Road servicing yard entrance as a turning circle and a weight restriction on vehicles using Cowper Street. The Council's Highways Team has accepted these arrangements, confirming that no objections are raised to the proposed stopping up, subject to the agreed mitigation being secured through a S278 Agreement. This agreement includes a no-entry sign beyond the 99 City Road servicing yard, a minimum 60mm kerb upstand at the western end of Cowper Street, a review of the raised table and ramp at the service yard access, and a permanent 7.5t weight restriction at the junction with Tabernacle Street with an exemption for 9-10m rigid vehicles accessing 99 City Road. A Deed of Easement will also be entered into to allow public and commercial vehicles to use the 99 City Road servicing yard for turning.
A permanent 7.5t (tonne) weight restriction shall be signposted at the junction at the entrance to Cowper Street from Tabernacle Street to prohibit heavy goods vehicles over this weight limit from using Cowper Street. A Traffic Management Order (TMO) will need to reflect this weight restriction and include an exemption to permit 9-10m rigid vehicles accessing 99 City Road, as the layout of the proposed service yard enables these vehicles to turn within the site and exit in a forward gear.
It was noted that Islington's refuse collection vehicles are too large to use the new turning head and would continue to reverse down Cowper Street, a practice consistent with existing arrangements. The Council's Highways Team has accepted this position.
The stopping-up order was deemed necessary for the delivery of the consented ground floor layout and will facilitate an improved area of public realm and wider pavements for pedestrians. The amended scheme for 176-178 York Way also continues to include improvements around the site, including extensive public realm improvements on Bingford Street, York Way and Landels Road, which included the opening of Bingfield Street to provide a pedestrian link, the creation of a new public square, and highways improvements. The amended scheme from those which were approved actually includes 14 additional street trees and an additional 112 square meters of additional low-level planting.
These arrangements would not affect the ability of emergency vehicles to access buildings along Cowper Street, nor prevent residents of the Bezier Apartments from accessing their underground car park. The stopping up order was approved.
For the stopping-up order application related to 99 City Road, no objections or concerns were raised by residents or businesses on Calpa Street at the stage of the 2023 planning application. Furthermore, no one was present to object during the meeting.
Further consultation would be carried out in accordance with legislative requirements should the committee resolve to approve the stopping up order. The full details of the planning committee meeting can be found in the Public reports pack and the Agenda frontsheet.
