14 Blackburn Road

Welcome to our website outlining our new proposals to redevelop the Builder Depot site at 14 Blackburn Road to provide a mixed-use development of warehouse floor space, offices, residential apartments, and a service yard.

14 Blackburn Road is owned by Hampstead Asset Management Limited (HAML) and operated by Builder Depot Limited (BD). HAML and BD are associated companies.

Builder Depot is one of the leading independent builders merchants in the UK focused predominately on catering to the trade. BD was founded in 2001 on industry experience of over 100 years as a specialist in timber and plywood. BD operates from four sites across London and employs over 400 people. BD has over 15,000 products available to purchase at its stores or online and has a client base of over 22,000 accounts. Its flagship branch in New Southgate is the largest builders’ merchant in London. 

Planning consent was achieved in 2004 from the London Borough of Camden (LB Camden) for a mixed-use development consisting of 14 residential units together with two Class B8 units (warehouses) and eight Class B1 units (offices) with an associated service yard. The scheme was subsequently implemented, and it is the intention of HAML to deliver this scheme. However, the context of 14 Blackburn Road has changed since 2004, new developments have been constructed and others are proposed. HAML is also mindful of changes in planning policy since 2004. HAML therefore proposed to submit a planning application which will include additional residential units (approximately 31) above the commercial space and other measures in order to bring its existing planning approval up to date with LB Camden’s planning policies and the emerging site context.  Following a pre-application meeting with Camden Council it was decided to amend the application so that a Full Planning Application will be submitted for two additional floors of commercial floor space, and a s.73 application seeks to vary the consented and implemented scheme that contains light industrial floor space, offices and residential apartments.

BD’s builders’ merchants at 14 Blackburn Road has been in operation since 2003 and has over 2,200 sqm of floorspace. The builders’ merchants serves a local customer base, as well delivering local internet orders. BD is an important local business and delivers an important trade function (being considered an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic, staying open to supply essential and emergency services). BD employs 40 members of staff at 14 Blackburn Road, some of whom have been at the store since it opened, with one instance of three generations of the same family employed by the business. BD is not only a local employer but a strong investor in its staff, as it offers above London minimum wage, annual bonuses, access to a hardship fund, a monthly cost of energy bonus, and also a guaranteed apprenticeship to family members of employees. Employees of BD are largely locally based and with strong community links. 

HAML are invested in the 14 Blackburn Road site and invested in their staff and the local community. The planning permission will deliver a new modern store for BD, who will be able to provide a better experience for staff and customers alike, as well as a more sustainable building. 

https://www.builderdepot.co.uk