‘Architectural vandalism’ threat to Northview estate with own village green

PLANS for an extra storey, containing nine new flats, above a 1930s homes block in Tufnell Park have been describ­ed as “architectural vandalism” by angry neighbours.
Campaigning Islington architect James Dunnett this week offered his support to residents fighting the plans for the block at Northview, a quiet residential enclave off Tufnell Park Road.
Mr Dunnett, a member of Islington Society, described the proposal for the extra storey as “crude” and likely to ruin the village green appearance of the estate.
Objections by residents include:
• The design, in “harsh” glass and grey metal, is overbearing, unoriginal and dated, and neither matches nor complements the setting;
• Natural light to homes will be blocked – one flat at least will lose all its direct sunlight;
• Drawings accompanying the plans are “misleading and inaccurate”, and the development would make existing homes look dark and unwelcoming;
• The proposed layout will result in noise nuisance; and
• Issues such as security, sustainable transport, parking and accessible homes appear to have been treated merely as boxes to be ticked.
Mr Dunnett, an award-winning Modern architecture expert, said: “The proposed extra storey will certainly detract from any feelings of light and space in the courtyard and the flats overlooking it, and will spoil a modest but attractive development characteristic of its time.
“The Modern movement was exceptionally concerned with matters of light, space and greenery, and these concerns did in fact permeate down to commercial developments. U-shaped plans around a green space and with an open outlook at the narrow end are quite common in 1930s developments.”
Barrister Rebecca Rich­ardson, chairwoman of Northview Residents’ Ass­­ociation, said: “The design of Northview was based on a village green- type layout in the 1930s. This is a unique settlement and finding such an island development in London is something to be treasured and protected for future generations.”
Journalist Christy Lawrence, joint secretary of the association, said: “Northview is very well designed, its architectural design and layout acting cohesively to provide a natural community.
“It provides a restful enclave, with green areas and mature trees. What is proposed – the addition of an overbearing and graceless storey in glass and dull grey metal – would cause irretrievable damage to it and can only described as a piece of badly-thought-out architectural vandalism.”
PETER GRUNER