Homes would overshadow Bunhill Fields Cemetery, last resting place of writers

Published: 11th March, 2011

• THERE has been widespread coverage of the announcement of the addition of Bunhill Fields Cemetery, the pre-eminent graveyard for nonconformists in England, to the Register of Parks and Gardens at grade I.  

The action places the cemetery in an elite group of seven grade I-registered cemeteries in the capital. Some 75 tombs and headstones in the cemetery have been listed at grade II and II*, including those of John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe, and the visionary poet and artist William Blake.

However, the proposed massive development by Southern Housing Group will rob residents of up to 100 per cent of their daylight and sunlight, meaning they will have to live with a light permanently on. It will overshadow the grade I-listed cemetery and park, reducing its amenity for all park users.

Action group MRAGE (Moorfields Residents Action Group Executive) has given reports to the council outlining how the scheme:

• breaks the council’s own planning guidelines;
• breaks Southern Housing Group’s own development guidelines;
• has objections from English Heritage;
• has objections from 150 residents and park users; and
• is objected to by the City of London Corporation, which owns and runs the park.

MRAGE is for development of the former school site and would like to see housing that enhances the area, such as that which already exists opposite the Moorfields School site in Quaker Court. The group fears the development will go ahead because of a clawback clause in the sale contract which means the council will have to pay back money if SHG does not get planning permission for 349 rooms on the site.

We are asking everyone in the area to come to the planning hearing at the town hall in Upper Street at 7.30pm on Tuesday if they want to prevent this daylight robbery scheme.
Vince Mitchell
MRAGE coordinator