AHMM’s proposals to redevelop a run of Oxford Street shops behind a handful of retained facades are “incongruous” and would rob the shopping mecca of part of its history, the government’s heritage advisor has warned.

Historic England said the practice’s proposals for 29-43 Oxford Street and 16-19 Soho Square – which would essentially deliver one new eight-storey building with a roof terrace at its southern extremity – were the “antithesis” of everything that gave the area its special qualities.

AHMM’s plans, drawn up for King Sloane Properties and Element Capital, would retain the facades of 29-39 Oxford Street – and a greater part of the grade II-listed 35 Oxford Street, which was built in 1909 to a design by Gilbert & Constanduros.

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