|
|
 |
| |
 |An artist’s impression of how the flats could look |
Flats proposals ‘look like phallic erections’
A solicitor talked about the “phallic erections” that would completely “enclose and entomb” his client’s Holloway property at a public inquiry on Tuesday.
IT was an unusually graphic description aimed, he said, at grabbing the attention of the public and the inspector in the second and final week of the hearing into controversial plans for 119 flats at Holloway Road, close to Highbury Corner.
The scheme has been described by opponents as “insensitive” and threatening views of some of the borough’s most historic sites, including the listed Central Library and St Mary Magdalene church, both on Holloway Road.
Government-backed English Partnerships want to build the flats and shops for up to 300 residents – 43 per cent affordable – at the former Mann Overton black taxi showrooms at Holloway Road.An alliance of residents and Islington council planners has objected to the scheme.Solicitor Malcolm Park, speaking on behalf of publican Mr AR Kahn, owner of Barcosa in Holloway Road, said his client, who owns a flat above the pub, feared he would be completely hemmed in by the scheme.
He told the hearing that Mr Kahn would lose sunlight at the back of his flat as a result of two five-storey buildings being planned next door.
He added: “It would be an absolute nightmare. It’s an architect’s fantasy of phallic erections which would completely enclose and entomb my client’s property.”Martin Jones, chairman of the Highbury Fields Association, described the positioning of a planned high wall at the north of the development as “unnecessarily spiteful” to residents at Highbury Fields who would lose their views of St Mary’s.He added: “The architects in turn have had to abandon their high principles and come up with plans they probably are unhappy with, praying that a clever advocate can see them through.”
English Partnerships argued that the scheme, which would have a landscaped grass courtyard, has been designed with architectural support from the charity the Prince’s Foundation.
Barrister Russell Harris, for English Partnerships, said: “The group is confident that the proposed high-quality, design-led scheme, which incorporates a reduced building height, set back from the boundary, with leading-edge sustainability principles and 43 per cent affordable housing, will be well-received and will make a positive contribution to the local area of Islington.”The inquiry finished with site visits yesterday (Thursday). A decision by the inspector will be made in five to six weeks’ time. |
 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
