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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
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