Central Somers Town
- Ward: Somers Town
- Key Features: 79 affordable council homes, community facilities including youth club, new community hall, and improvements to Edith Neville Primary School
- Progress: The scheme is being delivered in three phases of which two have been completed. 44 affordable council homes have been completed so far.
The Central Somers Town redevelopment is delivering a host of new improvements in one of Camden’s most deprived areas, helping to tackle the lack of affordable housing, community safety, and investing in spaces for young people to learn, play and grow.
We worked closely with young residents to create a new home for inclusive play facility, Plot 10, complete with a large rooftop football pitch and accessible playground. The development also includes Tessa Jowell Court which provides 10 new, affordable council homes and theatre mentoring charity, Scene & Heard.
Additionally, we rejuvenated Edith Neville Primary School, replacing a previously dilapidated building into a modern and bright learning environment, whilst enhancing outdoor play spaces to include a country garden and potting shed.
Most recently, we are delivering a further 34 genuinely affordable family sized homes, along with a new community hall and community garden for the Coopers Lane estate, and undertaking improvement works to the green spaces at Purchese Street and Polygon Road.
Phase three, the final phase of the Somers Town Masterplan, will see the delivery of 35 new affordable homes and commercial space on the ground floor.
Testimonials
"After more than two decades of work without a permanent home for our charity, we are thrilled to finally find ourselves in this beautiful building, situated in the heart of the community we serve. The studio and office space brings our work together under one roof, enabling us to extend our activities to more beneficiaries than ever before. Our new home is wonderfully welcoming, and we are so pleased to be able to display our amazing costumes in the giant picture windows for everyone to share the joy.”
Roz Paul MBE, CEO and Artistic Director, Scene & Heard
“Our new building has given us the chance to provide a range of opportunities for our children. We have been able to expand our provision for art, music, drama, and cooking in our studio. The new building was designed to ensure the children have plenty of access to outdoor learning space and natural light, which has created a feeling of calmness across the school and greatly supported the children's wellbeing.”
Ruby Nasser, Headteacher, Edith Neville Primary School
Awards and Recognition
This project has received 7 highly coveted architectural awards so far including RIBA National Awards (2023), New London Awards (2023) and was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize (2023).
List of awards
Phase 1 - Tessa Jowell Court
- RIBA Stirling Prize 2023 – Shortlisted
- RIBA National Award 2023 – Winner
- RIBA London Award 2023 – Winner
Phase 1 - Edith Neville Primary School
- Civic Trust Award 2024 – Winner
- RIBA National Award 2023 – Winner
- RIBA London Award 2023 – Winner
- New London Awards 2023 – Winner
Cabinet report
View the cabinet report
Page last updated February 2025
