HTA Planning led the successful application for 70 new homes and public realm improvements at Dover Court Estate for Islington Council. Set within a 1960s estate, the scheme balanced infill development with enhanced estate-wide connections and community infrastructure. A robust strategy responded to multiple constraints, unlocking opportunities for new homes, better play space, and improved public realm.
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Dover Court
Planning consent for 70 new affordable homes and public realm upgrades within a sensitive estate context
One Place, Many Stories
Planning
HTA Planning provided strategic planning advice and led the application for 70 new homes at Dover Court Estate in Islington, working on behalf of the council. The project addressed longstanding challenges on a 1960s-built estate that, while rich in open space, lacked a cohesive layout or legibility. Our planning strategy supported infill development that respected the estate’s existing character while enhancing its functionality and accessibility.
We worked closely with the architects, Pollard Thomas Edwards, and landscape designers, Farrer Huxley, to shape a proposal that would deliver meaningful change for residents. The scheme brings forward 70% social rent homes, including fully accessible units and bespoke housing for elderly residents, as well as key upgrades to play areas, circulation, and open spaces.
A particularly complex aspect of the application involved navigating layers of planning designations – from Designated Open Space and a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) to the Rail Safeguarding Area and proximity to the East Canonbury Conservation Area. Through careful coordination and engagement, we secured a planning consent that reflects both the priorities of the council and the lived experience of the community. The final scheme enhances the estate while introducing much-needed affordable homes in a central London location.
