Preferred developer selected for sale of City Road Island

Following on from last week’s announcement that UCL Council gave conditional approval for Oriel, a new eye care, research and education centre, our plans are moving at pace with the appointment of a preferred developer for the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology’s Bath Street site and Moorfields Eye Hospital City Road site (jointly referred to as the ‘City Road Island’).
 
Derwent London plc has been selected as the preferred developer, who will now work with Islington Council and the local community to redevelop the 2.5 acres. All proceeds will feed into the new centre we are planning to move into in 2026. 
 
The selection process has involved ensuring that redevelopment proposals will contribute to wider socio-economic benefits for residents and businesses and complement Islington Council’s ambitions for the area. A public consultation exercise will be undertaken involving the local community as part of the statutory planning process.

IoO's Director Professor Andrew Dick said:

“I am extremely pleased with how swiftly we are progressing with our plans, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their continued efforts to realise these. 

In June, Camden Council made a resolution to grant planning permission for Oriel. The site is located in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter, an internationally renowned hub for science and innovation. It is close to the UCL Bloomsbury campus and several of our voluntary sector and charity partners including the RNIB and Guide Dogs. 

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• Oriel Showcase Exhibition, July 2021

Links

• UCL Council approves new world-leading UCL and Moorfields eye centre
• Oriel
• Moorfields Eye Hospital
• Moorfields Eye Charity