Outrage at ‘undemocratic and off-hand’ attitude of Islington Council
Residents slam new Labour councillor over restrictions at planning meeting
Published: 06 August, 2010
by PETER GRUNER
DISAPPOINTED objectors accused a planning committee chairman of being “off-hand and undemocratic” at a meeting which voted through an allegedly overdeveloped housing scheme for Tufnell Park.
Newly elected Labour councillor Robert Kahn only allowed one member of the public to speak against a plan for the five-storey development, which will overshadow 1930s the landmark building, the Holloway Odeon, as well as nearby private Northview estate.
Cllr Kahn stopped objector Bryan Healing, the retired associate editor of the now defunct Encounter magazine, after three minutes, and refused to allow her to proceed – even though she hadn’t completed her comments.
Defending Cllr Kahn’s actions, colleagues said that many of the arguments had been heard at a previous meeting and Cllr Kahn was simply sticking to the new rules allowing one speaker (the developer) for and one (resident) against a scheme.
However, Lib Dem members pointed out that under their previous administration there were four planning committees – one for each area – and several members of the public were allowed to speak, provided that they did not repeat the same arguments.
Moreover, under the previous Lib Dem system, speakers were able to complete or “round up” what they had to say.
Ms Healing said the scheme for 36 flats should be refused on the grounds that it was too high and would have a “harmful” effect on the local conservation area.
“I’m not against a scheme in harmony with the area,” she added, “but they have got so much of this development wrong. The biggest problem is the height; it will really overshadow the area.“
Another resident who was refused permission to speak – retired psychologist Joan Schasin – said the new scheme will extend Holloway Road into a quiet residential area.
She added: “The point is that because we are in such close proximity to Holloway Road and the Nag’s Head, it is important to protect the residential nature of the area.”
Lib Dem Cllr George Allan, a member of the committee, said he regretted the loss of the old area planning committees, adding: “They would normally give residents rather more time to speak. Three minutes is not long enough for an inexperienced member of the public.”
Labour councillor Wally Burgess, a substitute member of the committee, said he had great sympathy for Ms Healing. “She is a very sincere and dedicated campaigner,” Cllr Burgess said. “But you can’t run meetings without rules and Cllr Kahn had to stick to them.”
Mecca plan thrown out
PLANS for a multimillion pound redevelopment of a former Mecca bingo hall were thrown out by an Islington planning committee on the grounds that they included no affordable housing.
Permission has already been granted for the Grade II listed hall, in Essex Road, to be turned into a church and community venue.
But to help finance the project, the owners, London-based non-denominational Christian church and charity Resurrection Manifestations, submitted a further application last year for a seven-storey block of 44 flats – none of which would be “affordable”, according to the council.
A revised scheme is expected to be presented.