Objections derided

• OBJECTORS were treated in a shameful manner at the recent Islington Council planning committee meeting over the Odeon House development (A farce in five storeys, August 13).

Most disgracefully of all, the sole objector was shouted at by the chair, Councillor Robert Khan, for speaking for longer than three minutes. Others who went over three minutes were not treated so aggressively.

Objectors’ concerns were brushed aside with what I can only describe as scorn. Worries about loss of light were derided as not being able to see the sky.

The public’s genuine concerns should be addressed or allayed. Most people who work with the public know not to treat such concerns as ridiculous, even if they may privately think they are.

It is unfortunate that our councillors failed to adopt this approach. It is beyond the pale that some find shouting at elderly ladies acceptable.

CHRISTY LAWRANCE
Tufnell Park Road, N7

• IT is incorrect to imply that the planning committee did not carefully consider the proposals and objections before making its decision on the application for the development of the Holloway Odeon cinema site.

Members of the committee appraised themselves of written objections made in advance, will have considered the paperwork seriously and a number, including myself, visited the site. 

The three minutes for oral representations highlight and summarise key issues and add value orally to the written submissions. 

The overriding consideration is that objectors must be given an equal say to the applicant. I am happy to have a look into how officers can give better advice to everyone involved on how the committee works, the place of oral objections and the procedures we have in place. 

Following concerns that have been raised, I am also going to look into how we can ensure that planning proposals and the detailed papers are available in good time before meetings – and what is proposed is clearly set out.

However, it would not be right to suggest there is now only one planning committee for the borough whereas before there were four. The Labour administration has, in fact, instituted a borough-wide planning committee for major applications and two sub-committees dealing with more minor proposals – a reduction from four committees to three. 

In these straitened times some streamlining of such functions is inevitable so we can redirect funds to frontline services. 

It is hoped that now there is a permanent and dedicated pool of councillors looking at applications we can build up real expertise in making good, reasoned planning decisions in the interests of our community. 

In terms of these particular proposals, all committee members approved the development, not least because of the improvement in the percentage of affordable housing and the reduction of scale from previous proposals which were judged unacceptable.

CLLR ROBERT KHAN
Labour chair, Islington Council planning committee