|
|
 |
| |
Stephen and Catherine O’Sullivan outside the pergola they erected in the garden of Quelch House |
Couple’s little green oasis given last-minute reprieve
Intervention by the Tribune sees the council hold fire on legal proceedings
A WOODEN pergola built without planning permission – which became a local Holloway landmark – may not now have to be pulled down.
In a last-minute move, planners offered to stop legal proceedings to remove the structure after an intervention by the Islington Tribune.
Since it went up three years ago, residents and visitors who passed the O’Sullivan’s pergola in the front garden of their council flat, gazed at it with interest and admiration
With its gently slanted roof, wood chimes and leafy trellises, locals described how they could close their eyes and imagine being transported to some wooded sanctuary, rather than overlooking busy Brecknock Road.
But all that was about to change after Islington’s planning department finally decided last month that the couple had broken their tenancy agreement.
Catherine and Stephen O’Sullivan, who live in Quelch House, had until yesterday (Thursday) to remove the pergola or face legal proceedings.
But after inquiries by the Tribune – and with support from many local residents – the council has agreed to allow the structure to stay put until planning permission has been sought.
Mrs O’Sullivan, who has launched a petition to save the pergola, said she was delighted by the latest outcome.
“We’re grateful that the Tribune got involved,” she said. “It must have helped.”
She added that the idea was to create a little green oasis in a concrete and noisy setting.
“We’ve had nothing but praise for the pergola from residents and visitors ever since it went up in 2005,” she said.
Local residents say the pergola, built almost entirely with re-cycled timber by lorry driver Mr O’Sullivan in his spare time over nearly a year, has become an important attraction.
Angela Price, manager of the Leighton Arms pub across the road, said she would be very upset if the pergola was taken down. “It cheers us all up,” she said. “It’s a little bit of the countryside in the town.”
Lib Dem councillor Terry Stacy, Deputy Leader of Islington Council and Executive Member for Housing, said: “This resident should have applied for planning permission to build this.
“Our records show she hasn’t, and that’s why enforcement action has been taken. She hasn’t been treated any differently to anyone else.
“If she applies for retrospective permission it will be considered accordingly.
“If she seeks planning permission we’ll hold back on our enforcement action until a decision is made – we urge her to get in touch with the council as soon as possible.” |
 |
|
|
| |
Your comments:
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
