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The outside of The Mall and (inset) the inside of the arcade in its former glory |
The Mall has its heart ripped out
Antiques arcade developer accused of removing partitions without planning approval
THE Mall, Islington’s former antiques arcade, was at the centre of a new row this week.
Developers were accused of ripping out internal partitions at the Camden Passage building before being granted planning permission.
The council’s south area planning committee is due to give planning permission on Tuesday for the conversion of the former listed Georgian-style tram shed into a Jack Wills upmarket sports store.
Hundreds campaigned after 40 antiques traders were evicted from The Mall last year.
Islington Council refused planning permission to develop the 40-year-old arcade. But developer Associated London Properties successfully appealed to a planning inspector, who ruled that the building had little historic interest.
Labour councillor Martin Klute said: “It is my understanding that the developers have listed building consent but not planning permission to remove internal partitions. They could be in breach of the regulations and should have waited to do this work until after they got planning permission, assuming they get it.”
Cllr Klute, in the forefront of the battle to save The Mall, said it was always possible the committee would not grant permission for the work.
“If that happened they could be asked by the planning officer to put the partitions back or re-construct the interior,” he added. “It would be an interesting situation.”
Mike Weedon, a member of Camden Passage Association, said the issue was over as far he was concerned.
“They got their permission to develop The Mall despite overwhelming public opposition,” he added. “I’m not sure if there is anything else we can achieve.” |
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