Steel homes ‘saved’ detail

Published: 31 March, 2011

• IT was great to see a decent amount of column space given to the conservation victory over plans to develop 2C&2D Belsize Park Gardens (Steel homes saved from demolition, March 24). 

There were a couple of inaccuracies that I would like to highlight. The first is that it described me as a Conservative councillor. 

I can reassure readers that I am not a Conservative and remain committed to the Liberal Democrats! 

The second inaccuracy is that it wasn’t the applicants putting forward the absurd argument that their proposed pair of seven- bedroom, multi-million pound, houses would help Camden’s housing shortage; it was the planning department in its report recommending the development for approval. 

I don’t like to be having a go at the planning officers as I am aware that they work very hard in stressful conditions, but their approach to this application did raise some serious question marks over the department’s understanding of conservation and architectural standards (and housing!). 

In short it was very difficult to grasp how they could possibly recommend such a disastrous proposal. 

By contrast my faith in the councillors’ committee that unanimously rejected it has been bolstered.

Finally I would like to commend the local residents who did so much to resist this application. It was a great example of community power in action and a pleasure to have been able to assist them. 

CLLR TOM SIMON
Liberal Democrat, 
Belsize ward