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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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