Garden still in danger

Published: 26 February 2010

• ACTION for Children has written this week to Emma Dixon, the Green Party’s parliamentary candidate for Islington North, to say it is withdrawing the planning application for the National Children’s Home (NCH) site in its current form. Action for Children is considering what amendments to make before resubmitting the application, now likely to be determined in June, after the council elections. 
A reprieve for the “secret garden”, at least for the time being. And a huge thank-you to everyone who objected to the original application.
We are, however, far from sure that the amendments will adequately address our concerns.
In particular, Action for Children has not yet accepted the principle, set out in the planning brief, that the whole of the grassland at the site must be preserved. To date, the extraordinary biodiversity of this extensive habitat area has been grossly undervalued.
The trustees have stated they wish to leave a legacy for the community. That legacy is staring them in the face. The grassland should be properly protected and preserved in its entirety. 
It is not too late for Action for Children to do the right thing.  Please write to Dame Clare Tickell, its chief executive, if you share our concerns.
CAROLINE RUSSELL
Islington Green Party