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An artist’s impression of how the multi-million pound Barnsbury Square flat development will look |
Top lawyer brands bid to stop development ‘a joke’
Barnsbury protesters accused of overstating their case in opposing scheme
A TOP lawyer delivered a stinging attack on residents protesting against the multi-million-pound flat development in Barnsbury Square, accusing them of overstating their case.
Speaking at the public inquiry, which finishes today (Friday), David Cooper grilled residents of the exclusive square, dismissing the Barnsbury Square Residents Association which is leading the campaign against the development as a “joke”.
Mr Cooper, representing the developer of the proposed three-storey block of luxury flats, Robin Hodges, questioned Dr Nigel Burton, chairman of the association, as he gave evidence against the development on Tuesday.
Dr Burton said the association was a loose arrangement but insisted the weight of local opinion was against the development on the site of the disused joinery.
Dr Burton said: “We don’t have a constitution and we don’t have regular meetings but I don’t know anyone in this square who is behind the proposals apart from Mr Hodges himself. If he is trying to make out that we haven’t got an argument that simply isn’t true.”
Dr Burton went on to state his objections to the steel and glass development which he said was totally inappropriate and out of character with the rest of the square.
He said: “The fact is it’s just too big. We realise something has got to go there and we are not against development per se, but the size of the proposals are outlandish. It is distasteful and will irreversibly alter the balance of the square.”
All week the inquiry has heard residents of the square where flats fetch up to £1 million present their case against the development which they have derided as “ugly and brash”. Their main objection relates to the size of the development which they say will dominate the square and is unsympathetic to its heritage.
Mr Hodges, a resident of the square has had three repeated applications thrown out by the council’s planning committee. Mr Hodges told the Islington Tribune that he called for the inquiry because he felt his application was not getting a fair hearing and he wanted it taken away from the political arena to be judged on its legal merits alone.
Mr Hodges called in Mr Cooper, who is reported to be Britain’s highest paid lawyer. It is understood the specialist planning solicitor owns 26 cars and charges £1000 an hour. He is famed for his combative style that helped propel Arsenal football club’s move to the Emirates Stadium.
Commenting on his aide, Mr Hodges said: “He is a celebrity. He owns a 13,000 square foot house in Belgravia and drove to the hearing in an Aston Martin.”
Residents say that if the plans are given the go-ahead, they will swamp the adjacent building Barnsbury House, which was the intended centre-piece of the square when it was built in the 1830s. As part of the inquiry, residents hired their own planning consultant and submitted alternative plans that they say are more sympathetic to the aesthetics of the square.
Speaking after the inquiry, Mr Hodges said he felt the inquiry had been a success. He said: “I think it went well. Everyone had an opportunity to say their piece and air their problems with the plans. I think the inspector was very even handed in his approach and I look forward to the outcome.”
Residents now face an agonising wait of up to six weeks to hear if the independent planning inspector gives the development the green light. |
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