Demolition a last resort

Published: 1 October, 2010

• DESPITE our political differences, we have been impressed by the decisive action taken by the Islington Council executive member who has worked with the Roundhouse management and council officials to rehouse community activities following the district surveyor’s declaration that the building is dangerous.

However, moving Roundhouse activities to different locations can only be a temporary solution. The Roundhouse’s value lies in being a common meeting place for young people, families and the older people’s groups who have used the building daily for the best part of 40 years.

There is disagreement between the council’s surveyors and the Roundhouse’s as to whether the building really is as dangerous as claimed and the extent and cost of remedial works. This needs to be resolved quickly and we call on the council to be completely open with the advice it has received and the plans it is considering so that a properly informed discussion can take place.  

If consensus is not possible, the council should agree to independent arbitration before taking any action – such as demolishing the building – that will close off options for the future. Local councillors should be fully involved in decisions once the technical position is established.

We need to plan for contingencies. Under the previous Lib Dem administration, we investigated various alternative buildings in case we were faced with the situation we now have. These need to be dusted off, evaluated and costed to provide a rational basis for decisions about the Roundhouse’s future.  

They can provide a benchmark against which to compare the cost of the Roundhouse management’s and the local councillors’ preferred option – the repair of the existing building.

CLLRS TERRY STACY, JULIE HORTEN and JOHN GILBERT
Lib Dem, Highbury East