It’s no joke as comic loses housing battle

Published: 2 April 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB

NEIGHBOURS will soon be able to peer directly into the bedroom of top comedian Jimmy Carr after plans for a four-storey “rabbit-hutch” housing block were approved this week.

Mr Carr’s girlfriend, Five TV editor Karoline Copping, has written to Islington Council to object to the height of the 30-flat affordable housing block planned for Corsica Street in Highbury.

Describing it as an “unsympathetic intrusion”, Ms Copping told planners that residents “would be able to look into our bedroom and this overlooking is unacceptable”.

Mr Carr’s home will be one of the most affected by the block, which neighbours say will obscure their views of the historic Grade II-listed Union Chapel in Upper Street and bring up to 100 new residents into a “tiny stretch of street”.

In a letter to council planners, Ms Copping said: “This fourth storey will create an oppressive environment and the building will dominate the holistic street scene.”

Councillors at Wednesday’s east area planning committee approved the proposals, although Lib Dem leader Councillor Terry Stacy objected.

Resident Richard Price, speaking on behalf of residents in Calabria Road and Corsica Street, said: “We support any development that’s sympathetic to the area, but we think this is an unreasonable proposal. It’s a tiny site tucked between two railway lines. It isn’t good design or planning for future tenants. It will be overdeveloped and overcrowded. This is going to result in pretty grim rabbit hutches for residents.”

Mr Price, who is secretary of RAGS (Highbury Railway Allotments and Gardens Association), said surrounding homes were only three storeys high.

Around 15 neighbours were present to object. Mr Carr was unable to attend. A spokesman for the Highbury Fields Association urged the committee to ask developers to come back with a lower development.

A spokesman for the applicant said: “This is a four-storey building and the [council’s] planning brief for Highbury Corner specifically earmarks this site for four storeys. We’re about 50 metres from properties in Calabria Road. 

“In terms of overlooking, 18m is regarded as a reasonable minimum. This scheme is for affordable housing, which is desperately needed in the borough.”

Council leader Terry Stacy said: “Sites with 100 per cent affordable housing are always welcome, but I have some real reservations about this, that this development is too big. I currently can’t support this.”

Cllr John Gilbert asked how many flats would be lost if the development was reduced by one storey. 

A council officer said: “There won’t be a scheme if we take an entire floor off.”

Green councillor Katie Dawson asked for new trees in front of the site.

The plans were passed with three votes for, two abstentions, and one against.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Price said: “Having two more trees is a high price to pay for an additional storey. Adjacent to this site is an award-winning garden, which goes over the Canonbury tunnel. 

“We’ve done lots to keep this street attractive and now we end up with a big building which is out of balance with the rest of the street. It’s completely bonkers.”