British Library £500m 12-storey extension approved by council

An artist's impression of the new wing

The British Library is to set build an "exciting and distinctive" 12-storey extension, with extra galleries, commercial space and shops.

Camden Council has approved the £500m development, which is expected to be finished by 2029.

The new building will have two new entrances and better access to St Pancras Station.

However, some local residents are worried the tower will block light to their homes and cause light pollution.

The new building is set to include two basement levels and house an extra 100,000 sq ft (9,300 sq m) of library space, learning, business and events spaces, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It will replace the British Library Centre for Conservation and will also provide a new home for the Alan Turing Institute for data intelligence and artificial intelligence.

The development must also make space for infrastructure for the proposed Crossrail 2 rail link, and a pedestrian walkway will run the length of the basement to a new ticket hall.

Some local residents are concerned about the loss of a community garden at the library

Camden's planning committee approved the scheme, which has to pay for itself without any funding from the government, which means it has included some commercial space.

The Somers Town Neighbourhood Forum, which represents some local residents, has expressed concern about the impact of the scheme on a nearby estate.

It is also worried about losing a community garden while the work takes place. A new community garden will open at the same time as the library extension.

Councillor Sue Vincent asked officers at the council meeting about the impact for residents.

Camden's principal conservation officer, Catherine Bond, said they were "what you would expect in dense a urban environment".

The meeting heard the British Library will also make a £23m contribution to affordable housing in Somers Town.

The British Library's chief executive Roly Keating said: "This long-planned extension will make it possible for even more people to access and enjoy the library, with a host of flexible new spaces including a new bespoke learning centre and spectacular new exhibition galleries."

The plan now has to be referred to the Mayor of London for approval.

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