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Left to right: David Gladstone, Peter Matty, and Ruth and Geoff Brownlowe |
Labour peer backs developer’s plans for exclusive square
Barnsbury residents protest at public inquiry into ‘ugly and brash’ scheme
A LABOUR peer entered a battle in support of a local developer this week over a controversial multi-million pound flat scheme described by critics as “ugly and brash”.
Lord Howie of Troon, a former chancellor at City University, described the plan to convert a disused joinery into a three-storey block of luxury flats in exclusive Barnsbury Square as “worthy of merit”.
But his comments angered residents at a public inquiry being held all this week in Highbury who had campaigned against the scheme for being too big and unsightly.
Lord Howie also criticised his Labour colleagues, including local ward Councillor James Murray, for being “ideological” by insisting that the scheme included affordable accommodation.
Among the objectors was David Gladstone – descendent of the 19th-century Prime Minister William Gladstone – who spoke against the scheme yesterday (Thursday).
Neighbours in Mica House, opposite the joinery, clubbed together to pay for their own planning consultant.
They argued that the development should be smaller and more aesthetically appealing.
Mr Gladstone, who has lived in the area for 44 years, said: “Ideally we want the whole thing to be sent back to the drawing board.
“We think it is ugly, the wrong kind of thing in the wrong place. We’d like it to be not so brash. There are a lot of ways of doing modern buildings.”
Peter Matty, from Mica House where flats can sell for up to £1million, said: “The residents all around have been saying if you just reduce the size by 10 per cent we wouldn’t be sitting here having this argument.
“But 10 per cent is probably worth £2million. It’s a David and Goliath battle. The simple solution is to make it smaller.”
Cllr Murray said the proposal was for eight super-sized units.
He added: “Each is bigger in floor space than a six-bedroom house. These are like basketball courts for living rooms. By designing it this way they don’t have to go above 10 units and give any affordable housing.
“I won’t back down and let them slip though the net. If you’re building new homes in Islington, 50 per cent should be affordable.”
But former MP Lord Howie told the Tribune: “Barnsbury Square isn’t one of London’s gems and people who say that are deluded.
“Any new development in the area has to be treated sensitively and has to respect its surroundings. I believe that the current proposal does so and is worthy of its merit.”
Developer Robin Hodges, who first mooted his plans seven years ago, said his scheme will help raise property prices in the area.
Mr Hodges is also supported by architecture OBE Jane Priestman, and by his own planning advisors Hepher Dixon, the team behind the Emirates Stadium development.
Mr Hodges, who owns and lives in Mica House, added: “We’ve had a long history of trying to deal with the objections and the unhelpful approach of Islington’s planning department. If they had any changes to make it was included in the scheme.”
He said: “The idea was to provide horizontal living. You step out of the lift and into the apartment. I want to give people a well-loved modern environment. I’m sure all the local values will go up.”
Architect Mark Dziewulski told the hearing: “There’s been this implication all the way through that we designed this to avoid including affordable housing. This certainly was not the case.
“It was partly designed to provide suitable accommodation that I felt was adequate for families. I’d like to provide accommodation that is in excess of rabbit hutch, squeezed-in, tiny housing.”
The area has attracted the likes of Hollywood actress Neve Campbell and singer David Gray. |
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