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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 27 July 2007

New clash on ‘aparthotel’ for executives

Parties row over plan at public inquiry

A WAR of words erupted this week over plans for a so-called “super-rich” enclave for international business executives in Angel.
Islington’s Labour councillors clashed with developers at a public inquiry over whether a new “aparthotel” at White Lion Street would contribute to the local community.
The six-storey scheme will include 70 small serviced apartments, restaurant and shops for long or short stay executives close to Chapel Market.
Inquiry inspector Alan Gray intervened at one stage after a suggestion that the high-powered clients would not shop in Islington – preferring the West End.
Barnsbury ward Labour councillor James Murray had said earlier: “They won’t want to visit Chapel Market when Mayfair is only a few miles away.”
Mr Gray interjected: “You mustn’t speculate. When it comes to shopping, people will go anywhere for a bargain.”
Later Liberal Democrat councillor Emily Fieran-Reed accused Labour of “playing politics” over the scheme.
“These apartments will include personal kitchens,” she said. “That means the clients will want to cook. I think it will be obvious where they buy their food – Chapel Market.”
The hearing at City University was held after the Labour-held West Area committee threw out the scheme in February.
Their objection was that the site should be turned over entirely to affordable housing because of the desperate need in the borough.
White Lion street resident Jess Koppel, who spoke at the inquiry, said she was worried that the development would turn the area into another King’s Cross
She added: “This is a most unsuitable scheme for the area. It will involve a transient population who will contribute very little to the community.”
Johanna Boyd, a legal representative for developers Sunny Days Investment, argued that the aparthotel would enhance the area.
“By rejecting it the committee took a fundamentally flawed and unreasonable approach,” she said.

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