The former Community Law Centre at 2 Prince of Wales Road will become Camden’s first Neighbourhood Space, following approval by Camden Council’s cabinet.
The project forms part of the council’s neighbourhood spaces programme, which aims to convert underused or vacant council-owned buildings into vibrant, financially self-sustaining hubs.
The new Kentish Town Neighbourhood Space will be located in the former law centre and expand on the work of the Civic Action Lab pilot currently occupying the building.
It will feature a mix of affordable workspace and event facilities to support residents, community groups, and businesses tackling issues such as food insecurity, climate emergency, youth unemployment, and loneliness.
Cllr Nasrine Djemai, cabinet member for new homes and community investment, said: “Our neighbourhood spaces programme will transform vacant or under used council buildings into vibrant, financially self-sustaining hubs for innovation, collaboration and community action, bringing residents, community organisations and local businesses together to help shape their neighbourhoods and help deliver inclusive economic growth.”
Computer-generated images of the planned neighbourhood space exterior (Image: IF_DO Architects)
The conversion of the building is supported by funding from the council’s Levelling Up Fund bid, the City of London Affordable Workspace Programme, the Section 106 Carbon Offset fund, and council capital investment.
Cllr Adam Harrison, cabinet member for planning and a sustainable Camden, said: “This Neighbourhood Space is a significant step towards our Climate Action Plan commitment to reducing carbon emissions across our own property and aims to meet the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard.
“The project is taking a whole life carbon approach, considering not only the operational emissions of the building, but the carbon contained and produced from construction materials and maintenance over the life of the building.”
He said the council has commissioned specialists in low-carbon design to help minimise emissions throughout the building’s lifecycle. The retrofit is scheduled to begin this summer, with completion expected by autumn 2027.
Cllr Djemai said the Neighbourhood Space model will “help unite” community action by creating “places where assets, ideas and skills can come together to drive positive, neighbourhood led change.”
