Play space – Protests as builders move into Palmers estate

Published: 17 September, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

“SELFISH” developers have taken over almost half of a Tufnell Park children’s playground to store equipment rather than pay thousands of pounds to park in the street.

The playground, on the Palmers estate off Tufnell Park Road, has become a virtual “no-go area” for children for the past three months, according to newly elected Lib Dem councillor Arthur Graves.

Contractor Apollo, which is doing work on the estate on behalf of Homes for Islington, has parked two large shipping containers – about eight feet by 24 feet – on the playground. The containers are used for storage and as workers’ changing rooms. 

Cllr Graves said: “There was never any consultation with residents over parking on the playground and the company save themselves £3,000 by not parking on the street.

“Also, these containers have collected rubbish around them and become a magnet for some of the larger children to climb on top of them.

“At the very least, if the contractors are going to park on the estate, then they should pay something to the local management association.”

A Homes for Islington spokesman said: “We regret the temporary disruption to residents. However, we have a legal responsibility to provide welfare facilities to contractors where they are working. 

“To minimise disruption across the estate, we agreed for Apollo to locate the toilet facility and storage container together on a tarmac area. 

“These will be removed by the end of September.”