Designs published on Camden Council’s planning website

AN ingenious use of a shipping container could provide space for a new coffee shop and ‘art house’ meeting place in Somers Town.

Council planners have been asked to consider the designs drawn up for the corner of Eversholt Street and Phoenix Road – next to St Aloysius Church.

It will be known as ‘Camden Locals’ with organisers telling the Town Hall they are planning “a community hub that offers sustainable ethical coffee and showcases art with strong links to local institutions”.

Sea crates have become increasingly popular across the UK in recent years, allowing people to set up everything from offices to dark rooms, art galleries and barbers shops without the need for complicated foundation work.

How the new ‘community hub’ could look

In relation to the Eversholt Street proposal, architects Patalab said in the application for planning consent: “Inherently, the 10’ shipping containers are easily transportable and structurally self-sufficient, thereby minimising the use of resource-heavy and carbon intensive construction materials on site.

“Moreover, by re-purposing disused shipping containers and offering the potential to reuse once again in another location, perhaps for another use, the whole life carbon footprint is considerably reduced to conventional construction”

Designs have been published for public view on Camden Council’s planning website. There have been no objections so far, and a letter of support from a nearby car park operator.

Patalab’s proposal added: “The applicant is an artist and food enthusiast with deep-rooted links to Camden, whom organises exhibitions of personal and local artwork, which focuses on community, recycling and mental health. The applicant shares a vision of reactivating an underutilised section of land.”