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Camden New Journal - by RICHARD OSLEY
Published: 25 October 2007

An artist’s impression of how the new Stables Market could soon look

Mr Livingstone, Stables door has already closed

Mayor urges planners to look again at market redevelopment

MAYOR of London Ken Livingstone has criticised the redevelopment of Stables Market in Camden Town – more than 12 months after the controversial glass overhaul of the cobbled site was given planning permission.
He said on Tuesday that “something had gone badly wrong”, insisting his planners did not have the power to veto the proposals.
Mr Livingstone said: “I call upon the developers and the council to think again, and work with the community to come up with plans that protect the Stables’ unique heritage and character while ensuring their long-term future as a high-quality thriving market.”
While his comments may be cheered by the thousands who have signed internet petitions against the £12 million revamp – campaigners argue the redevelopment will ruin the market’s bohemian nature – the intervention comes after work has already begun on the site and with some of its traders packed up and gone.
Stables Market Limited, the company which owns the land, and whose most high-profile investors include fashion magnate Richard Caring, won planning permission for an initial scheme in 2003 and followed up last October by winning final approval from Camden Council’s planning committee.
The plans will see a new glass building go up.
Mr Livingstone said: “While neither planning application come within the scope of my powers, it seems clear to me that something has gone badly wrong if so large a number of the market’s traders, neighbours and supporters are against what is being proposed.”
His comments come on the heels of his Conservative mayoral rival Boris Johnson’s recent whistlestop tour of the iconic market, during which he tried to assure stallholders he was on their side.
Privately, members of his own Labour Party are confused as why he has taken so long to act.
“The phrase closing the Stables door after the horse has bolted springs to mind,” said one senior member of the Camden branch.
“I can’t understand why it has taken so long for him to take an interest in this.”
Liberal Democrat council leader Councillor Keith Moffitt warned earlier this year that Mr Livingstone was overstepping the mark by meddling in Camden’s planning issues.
He said yesterday (Wednesday): “There is a line between carrying out your duties as mayor, which some people value, and playing political games on behalf of the Labour Party, which is a riskier territory. He must be careful not to cross it.”
When the New Journal asked Mr Livingstone last night why he had waited before making his feelings known, he said: “It’s not big enough to be triggered by high powers. There’s hundreds of schemes I wouldn’t be too happy to know about that are going on. I have been around the Stables and they are quite unique.”
Mr Caring has previously claimed that the redevelopment will be aimed at making Camden Town “the fashion capital of the world” and geared towards independent traders.

* Gallery owner Alex Proud won permission from planners on Thursday night to open a new bar and gallery in the Horse Hospital building on the Stables Market site.

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