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Letters to the Editor
 
Is there a plan to turn South End Green into Southend?

• How ironic that Jeska Harrington should try to reassure Jill Aitchison (All is not lost at South End Green, March 9) that her dismay at what is happening at South End Green is misplaced on the grounds that the 300 members of ‘Save our Green’ and their allies are “working together for a better South End Green”.
Now that we see those hideous cement surrounds going up to enclose what for a century had been an open and beautiful focus, a rare survival of the Victorian genius for harmonious and intimate public spaces, it is becoming clear what we are being saddled with – a modern developer’s project dream of cheap mass produced fixtures; cement blocks however hideous and out of keeping with the surroundings; automatically watered and neatly manicured flower beds, and ‘floor lighting’, a feature which according to the South End Green Association will “improve security”.
In 40 years’ residence in this area and countless walks across our, until recently, still so pleasant and affectionately neglected Green, I had never found my security under threat.
Unlike most of those so strident in their campaign to ‘Save our Green’ I own no car. I walk and I depend on public transport and in particular on the 24 and 168, those still traditional and handsome London buses that are a congenial part of the South End Green townscape – unlike the modern cars that deface our streets, and unlike that bland development of the old cinema site that has destroyed the informal unity and charm of South End Green.
Cole M Wartenberg
Tanza Road, NW3


• I thank Jeska Harrington for her attempts at reassurance. I am glad we will have “planters with seasonal flowering plants” to look forward to, because in years (or less) to come, we may not have our trees.
It is an accepted fact that trees can be irreparably damaged by undue disturbance to their roots. In the case of those on South End Green, the workmen were advised that big diggers should not be used in the vicinity of roots – they were used, and I myself saw cut roots sticking out of the ground. Big diggers should not have been left parked under the trees, compacting the soil to a dangerous extent – they were so parked.
I regret to say that I am not reassured.
Jill Aitchison
Constantine Road, NW3


• In response to the headline to Jeska Harrington’s letter last week (All is not lost at South End Green) – I sincerely hope not. But what has already been lost is irreplaceable!
For me ‘the Green’ extends to the Heath and for a few tens of metres down Constantine Road, Fleet Road and Pond Street and I am saddened by changes made in this area since I first came to know it many years ago.
Just look around at ‘the Green’ and you will immediately become aware of the ‘dog’s breakfast’ created by successive, excessive and inappropriate traffic and transportation measures and accompanying paraphernalia.
On the brighter side I hope that when the fountain is refurbished and turned on the additional “perch space” provided by the new building will prevent a recurrence of the numerous complaints I remember receiving over many years that I worked at Camden about pigeon droppings and pigeons, allegedly attracted by the fountain.
I have mixed feelings about the suggestion of “Victorian-style awnings” complementing the contemporary prison building-style backgrounds provided by the facades of the M&S development and the Royal Free.
Perhaps there is a secret plan to progressively turn South End Green into a mini Southend?
Dugald Gonsal
Parkhill Road
Belsize Park, NW3


Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@camdennewjournal.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Tuesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.
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