Camden New Journal - News: Kentish Town Georgian heritage

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Camden News - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 4 September 2008

Campaigners refuse to accept lorries go-ahead is end of road

Hopes now lie with claim that developer’s planning approval has lapsed

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save the “jewel in the crown” of Kentish Town’s Georgian heritage have been left stunned by a planning inspector’s decision to allow lorries to use a cobbled cul-de-sac.
The way is now open for Little Green Street to become a route for construction traffic.
The street – the inspiration for The Kinks’ classic song Dead End Street – has been at the centre of a five-year wrangle between residents and owners of a plot of land who want to build a luxury, gated estate of 30 homes. The only way construction traffic can get to the site is through the narrow street.
Planning permission has been in place since 2003 for the land, the site of a former railway workers’ social club, but the project stalled when the Town Hall blocked plans for lorries to use the street.
But that decision was overturned by an inspector on Monday, following an appeal by developer Euro-Investments.
Campaigner Nick Goodall, who lives in the street, said: “We are reeling from this.”
Approval was given provided builders use smaller trucks, employ two safety marshals to walk in front of lorries and only work between 9.30am and 4pm.
Architect Satish Patel said workers would be on site as soon as possible. “This decision strikes a fair balance and we are very pleased we can get going,” he added.
Homes in Little Green Street, which dates from the 1700s, have been given listed status by conservation body English Heritage.
It has been described by Kentish Town historian Gillian Tindall as “the jewel in the crown” of the area’s architectural heritage.
The battle to stop the development has been bitter, with residents winning support from around the world. An online petition has received thousands of signatures. In one protest, actor Tom Conti attacked the developer, claiming it was ignoring the terrace’s historic importance in a quest to make money. He lay down on the cobbles in an act of defiance.
Mr Patel offered an olive branch to home-owners this week, saying: “I hope they agree this is a fair decision. We are happy to work together and get on with them. We will have to live together in the coming years so it’s best we co-operate.”
While protesters ponder their next move, their hopes may now lie with a claim that the developer’s planning permission had lapsed before work started.
Permission to build the homes ran out at the end of June. The law states work must have started within five years of approval being granted.
But Mr Patel said: “All I can say is work commenced and what we have done is lawful.”
Kentish Town Lib Dem councillor Ralph Scott said he would be pushing the Town Hall to find legal proof that the work had started.
“They claim they have dug a couple of trenches but it looks like they have actually done nothing,” he said.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: