‘Elegant’ skyscrapers are given the go-ahead
New development will mean 21-storey towers standing over Finsbury Park
Published: 9 April 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB
A PAIR of “elegant” towers are set to dwarf homes in Finsbury Park after Business Design Centre chairman Jack Morris won approval for a huge regeneration scheme.
The 21-storey skyscrapers will be the crowning glory of the City North development, which will include a 10-storey building, 355 flats and shops and offices spanning Fonthill Road and Goodwin Street.
Councillors at last week’s east area planning committee heard how the scheme had been praised by CABE (The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) who hailed the project as “an elegant piece of architecture” and said that although the plans were for a “big urban block”, the design “offers moments of surprise, delight and generosity”.
More than 3,000 people were consulted and the development received 18 letters of objection.
One objector, who spoke at last week’s meeting, warned: “The development will have an impact on Grade II-listed Finsbury Park and its context for local residents and users of the park who will have their views permanently scarred. As design tastes change this proposal could very quickly become an eyesore in Finsbury Park.”
He added: “I do agree that upgrading the area is positive, it’s the scale of the towers that I am objecting to.”
Jack Morris, who has been pushing for the development for the past five years, and is part of the family responsible for transforming the Business Design Centre, told the meeting why he believes the proposals are vital.
City North Islington, a subsidiary of Business Design Centre group, will carry out the work.
Mr Morris said the design was a response to Islington’s action plan seeking a “landmark scheme which will kickstart the regeneration of Finsbury Park”.
He added: “It’s highly commended by CABE who regard it as a very elegant piece of architecture. We’re very proud of this.
“As you know, with the current market it would be very difficult to deliver this scheme but it is deliverable within a short period of time. We’re still proud to be able to afford to offer the level of affordable housing we can.”
Labour councillor Phil Kelly questioned the amount of affordable housing in the scheme, which will only be one fifth of all homes.
But a council planner told the meeting developers were “erring on the side of generosity”.
Council leader Lib Dem councillor Terry Stacy said: “I’d rather have 21 per cent on that site than have nothing built on that site.”
Cllr Kelly said: “I’m still not happy that there’s not more affordable housing.”
The plans were approved with three votes in favour and two against.