Lessons

Published: 25 November, 2010

• THE proposed huge new development that involves razing much of Gospel Oak’s housing to the ground and beginning again is a real concern. At this stage I’d hope residents remain positive about the possibility of influencing this development proposal to get something very good. As all will know Camden is in desperate need of more affordable housing and has built good developments in the past. 

Having been involved in trying to get a satisfactory solution for residents up at Chester-Balmore in Highgate Newtown, which seems to be a pilot for a much larger scale development after a 30-year gap in council-led house building, there are however some lessons that the Labour administration should have learnt. 

The first is to think very hard as to whether demolition is really the answer. It means the loss of post-war buildings many of which were often of a very high standard with good room sizes (Parker Morris plus), interesting designs and often lovely public spaces such as at Lismore Gardens. Camden’s architects were much respected and received awards for their work. 

Demolition also means all the noise, traffic, and general disruption from a large scale development. 

And this is before we even get to the potential wasted energy from knocking down concrete buildings and replacing them. 

The second lesson is to think hard about local shops and businesses. Quite often shopkeepers are part of the fabric of the community, and their shops adapted to give the community what they want. But Camden has given very little recognition to either the small businesses or the people who use them. Knocking down a development and beginning again can mean the loss of these businesses.

The third lesson is about community engagement. 

It’s essential that the community is involved in this process of thinking through what is best in their area. 

The process in Chester-Balmore, at times lurched forward at a real pace and was then forgotten for a while, losing the ideas previously received. 

It never fully engaged residents in thinking through what they would like to see.

I hope that if these proposals for Gospel Oak get off the ground these lessons will be taken on board.

CLLR MAYA DE SOUZA 
Green Party, Highgate ward