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Tower block vision: Some residents fear for the area |
Sports centre and tower blocks key to game of political football
Latest phase of massive Arsenal regeneration plan hangs in the balance
A SPORTS centre, promised to the community by Arsenal Football Club as part of massive regeneration plan in Highbury, hangs in the balance with councillors and public opinion divided over the scheme.
Following a three-year campaign, Arsenal agreed to include a replacement for the old JVC Sport Centre as part of a major redevelopment of Queensland Road which includes the construction of 730 flats, five 15-storey tower blocks, a 200-space car park, restaurants, bars and offices
But the six councillors, two Liberal Democrats, two Labour and one from the Green Party, on the committee are believed to be at odds over whether to give it the go-ahead.
One councillor, who did not want to be named, said: “I do not think this should go through. There are too many question marks. It has already been deferred once because the plans were not properly thought through. Yes, it would be great to have a sports centre, but not at any price.”
Councillors have criticised Arsenal for skewing the consultation by mobilising its loyal fan base. Hundreds of letters of support for the scheme arrived at the Town Hall on the same day after club director Ken Friar wrote a personal letter to local fans asking them to get involved.
But dozens of residents near Queensland Road have objected fearing the housing estate will transform the area into a “ghetto” with rising crime, transport chaos and more pollution.
A spokeswoman for the Islington Green Party said the plans – which will house around 1,500 people – did not meet density guidelines set by the London mayor.
She added: “The Green Party has already expressed grave concerns about this project. Anyone who lives in the area know that the transport system is already crammed full of people in the mornings. I feel sorry for the people living there already, but also for those that will be crammed into the space.”
Of the 50 per cent affordable homes, 60 per cent will be social rented housing – owned and managed by local authorities and housing associations – and 40 per cent will be intermediate affordable housing, set at prices and rents above those of social rent but below market price or rents. Generally, these flats are for key-workers or shared ownership schemes.
A spokesman for Arsenal said a developer had not yet been chosen for the scheme.
The project has got the thumbs-up from campaigners – that has included TV personality Clive Anderson, actor Alan Davies, Conservative London mayor Boris Johnson, and Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn – who have fought for Arsenal to open a sports centre for more than three years.
More than 3,000 people signed a petition after the club reneged on its pledge to build a replacement for the old JVC centre at Highbury stadium after it was demolished in 2006.
Campaign leader Ian Shacklock, who lives in Monsell Road, said: “The sports centre is a small, yet extremely significant, component in a much larger redevelopment scheme, and whichever decision each councillor takes they will face a mixture of praise and criticism from their current and future voters. If the councillors approve the plans then they will alienate nearby residents, but they will at least catalyse a dormant construction industry and give hope to others.”
An Arsenal spokesman said: “A decision on the club’s plans for Queensland Road, which includes a new sports centre, which would be available to the community, and over 350 new affordable homes, will be taken by Islington council’s east area planning sub-committee on Monday February 2.
“The Queensland Road development is one of the final pieces in the ‘jigsaw’ of the overall Emirates Stadium project and it is strongly hoped the proposals are approved by Islington council on Monday night.” |
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