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Dame Elizabeth Hoodless |
‘We were not told of bid to build on training centre site’
Volunteers’ boss launches attack on planners
THE director of Britain’s biggest volunteers’ organisation has stepped into the row over the threatened closure of a £2million training scheme.
Dame Elizabeth Hoodless has claimed Islington Council’s north planning committee failed to give proper notice of the meeting last week at which the fate of Springboard Islington’s building and warehouse in Parkhurst Road, Holloway, was decided.
The Lib Dem councillors approved plans for 16 flats at the site.
Dame Elizabeth, a former Islington Labour councillor, is executive director of King’s Cross-based CSV (formerly Community Service Volunteers), Springboard’s parent body.
Dame Elizabeth added: “CSV is concerned that it was not given notice of the planning meeting at which the decision to develop the site was made.
“Although the plans refer to 1,000 square feet of community use, there is no guarantee that it would be offered to Springboard Islington, and the current developer has declined to give any such undertaking.”
Managers at Springboard, which trains some of the borough’s most disadvantaged people, accused Islington planners in last week’s Tribune of “maladministration” over their decision to approve the development.
Springboard helps more than 1,000 young people and adults each year and provides Islington’s only construction training programme.
Dame Elizabeth added: “In its 30th year it is an accredited training centre for carpentry, joinery, painting and decorating, ICT and sport and recreation.” It provides training for children aged 14-16 who drop out of school, as well as post-16 school leavers and unemployed adults.
Dame Elizabeth added: “Through its various projects, the programme offers a range of learning and development as well as high levels of tailored pastoral support to young people and has a well-established track record re-engaging them back into the learning environment.
“The centre is also a provider of work-based learning for the Learning and Skills Council, with community partner Arsenal Football Club.”
The council’s Lib Dem deputy leader Councillor Terry Stacy said the Town Hall was extremely concerned about recent developments affecting Springboard.
“Officers have been asked to work with Springboard to ensure their needs are taken on board by their freeholder,” he added.
“We will do everything we possibly can to assist them.” |
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