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Artist’s impression of how the flats will look |
Protests as taxpayer funds battle to build flats blocks
Go-ahead after regeneration body hires £700,000 legal team
OBJECTORS have lost a campaign to protect historic views threatened by plans to build homes and shops in Holloway.
They are to complain to Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn that developer English Partnerships – a government regeneration body – used public money to “bulldoze” through the scheme for a site off Holloway Road.
Through the Freedom of Information Act, campaigners discovered that English Partnerships spent £700,000 on a six-day public inquiry, hiring 27 legal representatives paid out of the public purse.
A planning inspector rejected objections that the development close to Highbury Corner will overshadow a conservation area, including the ornate Mary Magdalene Church, as well as block out light to homes.
Islington Council opposed the plans on the grounds that there was insufficient affordable housing – 43 per cent.
The scheme is for 119 flats and shops at the former Mann Overton black taxi showrooms.
At the southern end of the development a seven-storey block will be as tall as the tower of Mary Magdalene Church and overshadow Islington Central Library, both listed buildings.
The scheme is also a stone’s throw from the home of London mayor Boris Johnson.
At the northern end, residents living off Highbury Fields will look out on a sheer concrete wall, which is to be covered in foliage.
English Partnerships said that the scheme, which will have a landscaped grass courtyard, has been designed with architectural support from the Prince’s Foundation charity. The aim is to transform a semi-derelict, rundown area off Holloway Road. The development will also be car-free.
The inspector’s report said the development would benefit the area. It added: “The development would have its own identity and be designed in a traditional style, which would respect adjoining nearby buildings.”
Resident Mike Weedon, whose home backs onto the development site, is to complain to Mr Corbyn, Islington North MP, about English Partnerships.
He added: “I would like to have challenged this in the High Court but I obviously can’t afford it. English Partnerships rode roughshod over the public using public money. There was very little consultation. They just bulldozed the scheme through.
“They fielded 27 legal reps at the public inquiry. Compare that to the four legal representatives working for Islington.”
A spokeswoman for English Partnerships said they were pleased inspector had granted approval.
“This is a high quality design-led scheme incorporating a number of sustainable measures and 43 per cent affordable housing,” she said. “We believe the development will make a positive contribution to the local area.
“We made every possible effort to communicate with residents and local businesses before submitting our first planning application,” she added. |
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