Developer Amwaj Property has been given the go-ahead by Westminster's planning committee to construct 150 new homes as part of site one of North Wharf Gardens in Paddington.
The £70m development is the first part of a wider masterplan for the former North Westminster Community School site which covers 1.48 hectares. Building work will get underway later this year, with a view to competing the scheme in 2015.
Aside from 150 apartments in a single block ranging from 9-15 storeys in height, the first phase of the project will also feature a gymnasium and retail space. All new homes in the scheme, including affordable homes, have been designed to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4.
Westminster's planning committee requested an entrance for affordable housing residents to be located on Hermitage Street. The street will also be widened to allow for two-way traffic and an improved public realm.
Russell Pedley, director of project architect Assael, said: "The project team are delighted to be given the ‘green light' for this first phase of our masterplan. This will create a new residential quarter for Paddington Basin and complete the regeneration of the area. It's designed to be culturally rich and provide a mix of spaces to complement the needs of the Basin and the local area. Crucially, particular emphasis has been placed on public spaces and pedestrian routes that link through the site to integrate it with its surroundings. The main focus will be a new landscaped garden accessible to all in the neighbourhood and beyond."
Assael is continuing to develop proposals for Site 2 of its masterplan. This will include more new homes, retail and office space, social and community uses as well as a four-star hotel and serviced apartments.