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LETTERS
 
Make new Tube the best it can be

I wanted to elaborate on the very brief quote attributed to me in your article about Camden Town Tube station, which may have given an incorrect impression to your readers (Warning to Tube chiefs, Jan 26).
I was very much against London Underground's plans, which were submitted to the planning committee (on which I sit). They were turned down.
LU took the plans to appeal and I gave evidence to the inspector saying that he should uphold our decision. I said that the plans were wrong because of their scale – the design was out of keeping with Camden Town, their detrimental effect on the market, Electric Ballroom and Camden Town business environment, the community safety problems they would create (poor design again) and the negative effect on Hawley Infants. I was not alone – there was an huge range of submissions from residents and traders to planning experts, conservationists and the council.
Thankfully the inspector (and Secretary of State) upheld the council's decision, but, this is not the end of the matter.
Although the inspector turned down LU’s plans it was not on every count. In light of this, LU could simply keep submitting applications addressing some of the objections and we as a planning committee would be bound to look at each one on its merits. It is unlikely the best scheme would come forward in this way.
A far better method would be to draw up what community interests would like to see on the site and the nature of the development.
This is precisely what is now happening and it began last week at the public meeting.
It must also be pointed out that there are different views. I have been contacted by some residents who do want a new station and are less enamoured with what is currently on site. With these various interests and views it is even clearer that this process is necessary.
So given the inspector’s decision, it seems that there will be a new station with some sort of above ground development. It is important it is the best it can be
CllR Jake Sumner
Camden Town ward and member of Camden’s Planning Committee
 
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