Planning approval for the renovation of a ‘hidden’ wallpaper workshop in Camden formally owned by the Shand Kydd family

Hill Harvey-Wood went above and beyond to develop a contextual response for this fast-paced residential project.

Shortly after being appointed in 2025 by the house’s new owners, Hill Harvey-Wood pieced together this unassuming London terrace’s curious story from studying differences with its neighbours and early twentieth century drawings. The building is unusual in that it has never had a garden; originally it served as a through-route to the yard of a wallpaper factory owned by Princess Diana’s family, and more recently it has been used as office space.

Our client wanted to create an outdoor space and a unified family home from what was a series of incongruous spaces but was unsure how to negotiate the planning and regulatory challenges that come with a change of use and renovation of an historic building. Hill Harvey-Wood secured planning and conservation area consent with a set of nuanced proposals around a newly created entrance hall and stair that stitches together a traditional reception room with a more contemporary open plan living space in the old yard. The project is currently on site.