Islington Council has granted consent for the demolition of the former Children's Society headquarters, Edward Rudolf House in Clerkenwell, on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The decision follows a six-year planning dispute between the council and the developer, Royal UK Properties III Ltd, a US-based firm.
Background and Previous Rejections
The two-storey building, named after the founder of the Children's Society, served as the charity's national headquarters from 1986. The site has been vacant since 2019, when the charity sold the building for £17 million due to significant repair needs.
In 2020, the council rejected an initial proposal for a five-storey office block, citing concerns about its impact on surrounding buildings, including Grade II-listed structures, as well as loss of light and the design's "incongruous" and "dominating" architecture. The Planning Inspectorate upheld the council's decision in 2021, echoing similar warnings about the negative effects on the neighbourhood.
Appeal and Redesign
In 2023, the developer submitted revised designs featuring a shorter building. However, the council failed to reach a decision within the legal timeframe, prompting the developer to file a 'non-determination' appeal. The Planning Inspectorate granted this appeal in October 2024, with the inspector describing the existing building as an "unmistakable eyesore" and the updated designs as "striking and sympathetic."
The plans returned to the council's planning committee on September 10, 2026, after further changes by the developer, including the removal of previously proposed affordable workspace due to financial constraints.
Committee Decision and Demolition
Committee Chair Toby North expressed reluctance about the loss but acknowledged that the inspector's 2024 decision meant it "wouldn't be robust" for the council to reject the scheme again. Demolition of the existing building is already underway, according to council reports.
