Westminster City Council yesterday approved four linked planning applications based around the St James’s Market area, which will be rebuilt to create nearly 340,000 sq ft of mixed-use accommodation between Regent Street and Haymarket.

Proposals for the four sites have been developed by Make Architects, Tate Hindle, Paul Davis & Partners and Burwell Deakins. CBRE has provided planning advice.

The lead scheme, known as St James’s Market, will see the redevelopment of two existing building blocks in central London to create offices, retail and restaurant space behind preserved historic facades.

The St James’s Market proposals also include three associated private residential and affordable housing schemes as well as new public realm space.

These will create new homes totalling 60,000 sq ft, ranging from one bedroom apartments to four bedroom family homes.

Work should start on site in the autumn and complete by 2016.

James Cooksey, Head of St James’s Portfolio said: “We’re delighted to be given a green light from Westminster for St James’s Market; this a major tipping point for our St James’s investment programme.

“Add this to our Gateway scheme, set for completion this summer, and refurbishments at Trafalgar House and British Columbia House, and it’s clear we are delivering one of the most significant West End transformations since we started in Regent Street.”

Ken Shuttleworth, of Make Architects said: “This is not only a major milestone for St James’s but also a key project in Make’s growing portfolio of heritage work.

“We have developed an excellent relationship with English Heritage and are delighted that Westminster has recommended approval for the site, it will be fantastic to see it delivered.”

In the early 19th century when John Nash redeveloped Regent Street this historic area was lost.