Knight Frank secures planning for landmark prime central London PBSA scheme
Knight Frank's Planning team has secured planning permission for a 123-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme at Britannia Street Car Park in King's Cross, following a resolution to grant consent by Camden Planning Committee.
16 October 2026
Working on behalf of Curlew Capital, Knight Frank collaborated closely with award winning architects Sheppard Robson, Camden Council, Network Rail, and TfL to develop a viable and deliverable scheme capable of unlocking the site.
The approval, subject to completion of the Section 106 agreement, will bring forward the redevelopment of a site that has remained vacant since the 1970s, delivering high-quality student accommodation in the heart of London's Knowledge Quarter.
The approved seven-storey development will provide 123 direct-let student studios, 259.8 sq m of internal and external amenity space and a 64 sq m community hall. The scheme will also deliver a £5.7 million payment in lieu towards affordable housing provision in Camden and a £100,000 contribution towards improvements to the neighbouring Derby Lodge residents' courtyard.
Chris Benham, Head of Planning, London at Knight Frank, said: "Securing planning permission for this scheme is a significant achievement for our team and our client. The site has remained undeveloped for more than 50 years, with its complex engineering and planning constraints proving a barrier to previous proposals.
“After three years collaborating with the wider project team and key stakeholders, we're delighted to see the scheme approved. It will bring a long-vacant site back into use, deliver much-needed student accommodation and provide meaningful benefits for the local community, including a significant contribution towards affordable housing in Camden."
Greg Fox, Director - Development, Curlew Capital said: “This resolution is an important step for Britannia Street. The site has sat underused for many years, and the constraints beneath it, including the Network Rail tunnel, have required three years of detailed work with Network Rail, TfL and our wider design team. We are pleased that Camden Planning Committee has recognised the need for high-quality student accommodation in King’s Cross, and the benefits the scheme will bring to the local community, including the affordable housing payment and the contribution to the Derby Lodge courtyard.
“Our thanks go to Knight Frank, Sheppard Robson, WSP and the Camden officer team for their work on the application.”
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