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Residents Barbara George, left, and Cornelia Maynard with Cllr Richard Watts |
Bid to save Victorian train station may be at the end of the line
Councillors slam ‘sorry saga’ of planning process
THE two-year battle by hundreds of residents to save Victorian-built Crouch Hill Station House and adjoining ticket office from developers looked close to defeat this week.
Islington’s North Area planning committee, who strongly object to the scheme for the demolition of the two historic buildings, heard from their own solicitors that they may be “legally obliged” to vote in favour of it.
It follows recent remarks by a government planning inspector looking into the scheme, after the developer had appealed.
He said that the two buildings “do not make a positive contribution to the conservation area”.
However, at Monday night’s meeting, chairman, Labour councillor Wally Burgess, moved that the committee defer any decision in order to achieve the best deal for residents in the expectation that the development goes ahead.
The committee will also explore the latest legal opinion surrounding the scheme to see if it can be challenged.
The scheme calls for the demolition of the much-admired existing ticket hall and adjacent station house and erection of two new blocks of two and three storeys, with eight flats overlooking a shop.
Objectors described the development as too high, too dense, out of character with the area, and said it ignored the historic significance of the improving Gospel Oak to Barking railway line.
Labour councillor Richard Watts, speaking on behalf of objectors, told the meeting that the “sorry saga,” shows up a number of “major” weaknesses in the planning process.
“It is no wonder that developers consider us a soft touch if we continue to be pushed around as easily as we have been in this case,” he said.
He pointed out that the station house is one of only two of its kind left in London and the Islington Society had confirmed it has substantial architectural merit and rarity.
Cllr Watts added: “This was a lost opportunity. The developer had already submitted a previous scheme that would have retained the station house and ticket hall.
“We should be keeping him to that scheme rather than allow this new development.”
Resident Cornelia Maynard claimed that the scheme would take light and sun away from homes in nearby Japan Crescent. “Current homes will be overlooked and there will be noise,” she said. “We don’t need another shop. There are enough empty ones in the area already.”
Supporting the development, Islington’s principle planning officer Ashley Niman said he believed the revised scheme would make a positive contribution to the area.
He added: “It offers a good piece of contemporary architecture but at the same time acknowledges its surroundings and context within the conservation area.
“It accords with the appropriate sun and daylight guidelines and would not adversely effect privacy of neighbours.” |
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