Phoney public notice proves a point in South End Green

Published: 16 September, 2010
by DAN CARRIER

AT first glance, it looks very much like a real planning application sign – the sort to fill neighbours with horror.

It proclaims that permission has been given for a whopping underground swimming pool and gymnasium stretching out under neighbours’ homes in Estelle Road, a quiet terraced street in South End Green.

But on closer inspection, the notice is a prank played by an anonymous neighbour, furious with Camden Council’s planning department for waving through a scheme that will see a family home in the street turned into a bedsits and flats for 16 people, including a new basement beneath.

The New Journal tracked down the irate prankster, who spoke on condition his/her anonymity was respected. 

The prankster revealed he/she wanted to make a token protest against poor decision-making and a lack of democratic input in the Town Hall’s planning decisions. He/she said:“To turn a house for a family into one for 16 people is absurd. The decision went through on delegated powers and so was not even discussed by our elected councillors on the planning committee. 

“It is utterly extraordinary that this will go ahead.”

The prankster added that the street was narrow and the construction would cause havoc: “I wanted to highlight how ridiculous planning applications are being passed without real scrutiny. The sign is a bit of fun, but it highlights an important point.”

The council passed the scheme under delegated powers in August, despite objections. Architects Coupdeville, who designed the plans that were passed by officers, said at the time that there was a desperate need for accommodation in London. They added: “As architects with considerable design integrity, we look to fulfil our briefs in as sympathetic a manner as possible. In this case, there is no visual deformation of the house in comparison to others on the street and to this end we have found what we deem to be the best possible solution to the brief. I am fairly sure not every house on the road is a single dwelling, either – hence the planners’ recommendation for approval.”