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Park has
even more space
• I am writing in response to the letter published last
week (Give Us Return For Loss Of Park). I’m sorry if the
writer feels her views on the redesign of Cantelowes weren’t
taken into account.
Camden Council consulted local people extensively. Both the
Friends Of Cantelowes Gardens, and local skateboarders in the
Cantelocals group were involved in the selection of the landscape
architect and drafting the design brief.
Both groups also attended meetings where the proposals were
discussed and amended to take into account the public’s
suggestions. A shelter was not included after fears were raised
during the consultation that it could encourage anti-social
behaviour.
Unfortunately, funds did not run to a café, so the council
is trying to arrange for a mobile catering facility to see if
a self-sustaining business would work. I don’t agree that
the community has lost any part of the park: Cantelowes is now
larger because extra land has been added from a nearby development.
Cantelowes is specifically designed to cater to the needs of
young people in the borough, featuring a skateboard park, multi-use
games area and children’s play facilities.
It is agreed that good youth provision is important in the borough
and Cantelowes is the only park of its kind in Camden. Camden
Council has to consider the needs of the whole community with
its parks and open spaces and there are already other options
nearby where people can go if they want something different.
Nearby Camden Square and Rochester Terrace Gardens provide the
quiet places and green space mentioned by the writer, for example.
Over £7m in council and Heritage Lottery funding has been
invested in improving Camden’s parks and open spaces over
the last eight years and surveys show satisfaction is on the
rise. When it is complete, Cantelowes will be a fantastic, vibrant
place and a great addition to what is already on offer.
Martin Stanton
Head of parks and open spaces
Camden Council |
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