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Stop these splendid homes from going to rack and ruin
• THE proposed redevelopment of an area bounded by the Canal and Castlehaven/Hawley Roads could benefit the place if treated sensitively.
One concern is the early Victorian detached houses in Hawley. Built in 1837, they are Grade II protected. These splendid dwellings have been allowed to fall into decay and have been unoccupied for many years. They should be restored and must not be demolished.
They are just some of the estimated million empty dwellings in Britain, allowed by their owners to fall into dereliction, and affect their environment adversely.
One example of such dereliction can be found at the Mornington Crescent end of Camden High Street, which has been empty for years.
Despite the recession there is a huge demand for housing, especially with Camden Lock market drawing in the crowds.
Short of a law, a tax of some severity on empty buildings would benefit the Treasury and force owners to act. Such buildings degrade their areas.
Skip Murphy
Prince of Wales Road, N1
Hawley Wharf plan has nothing to offer life in Camden
• THE meeting to discuss the proposed development of the Hawley Wharf area, including Torbay Street, was packed with concerned residents, including myself.
Developers Piers Codling, Mark Alpers and George Adamopoulos attended the meeting, chaired by Frances Wheat, Camden’s Development Control Service Manager.
As a lifetime resident of Camden, I’m concerned that the proposed plans do not reflect the needs of the community.
Several issues were raised at the meeting, the most important being the proposed height of the planned buildings.
Their plans include 130 housing units to be built in Torbay Street, along with six- to seven-storey buildings. The height of the building would be totally out of keeping with the two-storey houses dominating the area.
Further, the proposed designs have no bearing on the historical value of the area. Local artists were concerned that there is no provision for artisan workshops to encourage Camden’s artists.
Nor do they reflect Camden’s historical origins.As one resident said: “We need more food and drink stalls like a hole in the head.”
The canal has become a major rubbish dump since the re-opening of the market area.The designs and proposed land use plans offer more of the same for Camden, imitating the bad design of the larger “theme” market along Chalk Farm road.
The benefits and impact of the plans on local residents are not considered.The developers might consider talking to the people behind the regeneration of the Roundhouse as a model for the development of a community-based project which has widespread benefits for Camden.
Leeroy Murray
Castlehaven Road
NW1
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