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Why the pub’s a by-election political football
• THE Lib Dem’s election propaganda that they saved the Torriano pub and their suggestion that the Green councillor voted against saving it is another example of their many attempts to mislead voters.
The reality is very different. They have taken a huge gamble over the future of the pub for what appears to be short-term political gain in the by-election. It is fair however to acknowledge the support that Councillor Ralph Scott has given to this campaign.
During the planning committee meeting on Thursday, the key concerns of the objectors were that the Torriano continue for the long term as a pub and the basement continues as a licensed music venue. Councillors on the committee sought a binding legal agreement from the developers to ensure this, which the developers agreed to.
Camden’s lawyers confirmed that such an agreement could be drawn up and would be enforceable. This left us with two options: to vote yes but with the benefit of an agreement that the pub and basement would not simply be left empty as is often done by developers in these circumstances; or to vote against and leave things to chance considering the likelihood of an appeal. When it came to the vote Councillor Brian Woodrow – the most experienced member of the committee – and I, decided that the best way to act was to vote for the application with this agreement, which if passed, would have saved the Torriano as a pub and licensed music venue. In our view, there were no significant planning reasons for refusal.
The Lib Dems voted as a block against the application and the legally binding agreement. And only a short while later they circulated an election leaflet about the issue. This makes their vote look like an attempt to gain electoral support from Torriano regulars.
I am concerned that what they have actually done is to put the Torriano in greater jeopardy. The developers are appealing against the decision and will not need to offer to enter into any binding legal agreement to keep the pub open. My concern at the meeting was that they would be likely to succeed. I remain concerned about this and also that, considering the weak grounds for refusal and that the developer agreed to the conditions sought, an inspector may well award costs against the council, as well as allow the development to proceed.
The root of the problem is that the freehold of the pub is now owned by property developers and there isn’t sufficient protection for pubs in Camden’s planning policy, especially for accommodation ancillary to the pub for proprietors. To protect great local pubs like this one, Greens will seek to strengthen planning policies. We also hope the developers will now reach an agreement with publicans and sell the freehold to them at a fair price as that would be the best way to save the Torriano as it currently is.
The Green candidate in the by-election, Victoria Green, and her agent Richard Eden have supported the campaign to save the pub for many months.
CLLR MAYA DE SOUZA
Green Party, Highgate ward
Torriano
• IT was a pleasure to work with The Torriano’s landlords Suzi and Dean and Councillor Ralph Scott to identify for the development committee the planning reasons why they should reject the freeholder’s application last Thursday.
The affection and passion of the pub’s customers was the key, seen in the 100 protesters who gave up their evening to be at the town hall.
What Dean and Suzi have built up steadily over seven years is a business that provides a real service and amenity for the Kentish Town community, through live events downstairs as well as a friendly bar above. The freeholders wanted to change the nature of the bar completely, forcing the landlords to move out.
Liberal Democrats believe it is the job of local politicians, both ward councillors and committee members, to fight for the interests of the residents they represent. More than one of the happy protesters told me late on Thursday night that our work and the councillors’ decision had restored their faith in local politics. Why the Green Party decided to side with the developers I shall never understand; the application had no green virtues whatsoever, quite the reverse.
If the developers appeal, we shall all keep fighting. .
NICK RUSSELL
Liberal Democrat candidate for Kentish Town by-election
Long wait
• I AM sure this week’s paper will focus on the successful representations made by Dean and Suzi from the Torriano and their customers.
I should raise the issue of how the hundred or so people who turned up were treated by the council processes. Despite requests from some councillors, it was decided that other business should be taken first. So everyone who turned up at 7pm – including parents– had to wait over two hours until after 9pm to be heard!
In my opinion did not strike the right balance between respecting all of those who had turned up and the order of its business.
This is not the first time this has happened. In July Camden’s executive made over a hundred or so children and parents who were protesting about the plans to build on Edith Neville school in Somers Town wait for two hours while other, less important, items of business were dealt with.
Camden needs to look again at how it deals with the public on matters such as this.
AWALE OLAD
Labour Party candidate
for Kentish Town by-election
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