A new office development, described as “the final piece of the jigsaw” in one part of Holloway Road, has been granted planning permission.

Members of the Islington Council planning committee at a meeting last Thursday (May 12) approved plans for the property next to the School of Architecture and Interior Design in Holloway.

The developer Folgate Estates wants to create a six-storey building which will include a large retail unit on the ground floor and office space on the remaining five floors.

Council planning officer Paul Conboy, speaking at the meeting, said: “This is a modern area and the development fits in well in the road. We think it is a big improvement bringing a vacant site into productive use.”

Councillor Wally Burgess, a member of the Islington Council planning committee, said: “This is the final piece in the jigsaw for that part of Holloway Road and it should look good when built.”

Folgate Estates is planning a number of energy saving schemes, which were welcomed by Islington Council, including solar shading on the windows and photovoltaic panels on the roof.

The developer has also agreed to give cash to Islington Council for various community schemes as part of a section 106 agreement with its planning consent.

It agreed to pay �58,223 towards transport and public realm improvements, �28,395 towards open space improvements and �15,142 towards sport and recreation facilities