Plans for demolition of Bemerton estate scrapped - Response from residents prompts council rethink

Published: 22 April 2011
by PETER GRUNER

PLANS to demolish and rebuild Barnsbury’s troubled Bemerton  estate have been dramatically scrapped, it was revealed this week.

Islington Council say they have taken on board the views expressed by hundreds of residents during a public consultation and in the current financial climate have decided not to proceed with the controversial development.

Both tenants and leaseholders expressed fears about disturbance and upheaval once the scheme got underway. 

Leaseholders were particularly worried that they may not be able to afford to buy a new property in the completed development.     

Councillor Paul Convery, the Town Hall’s executive member for regeneration and planning, said more than  250 peopled responded to the consultation and the council considered the feedback carefully. 

“Whilst there was considerable support for some sort of redevelopment among those who responded, there was no clear consensus about what form that should take,” he said. 

“It is because of this, and also the current financial climate, that the council has taken the difficult decision not to proceed with such extensive redevelopment.” 

Instead the council will take forward the option for improvements to public spaces on the estate.

Cllr Convery added: “This will help to address issues raised in the consultation feedback, including anti-social behaviour. It will also include the redevelopment of the Lyon Street area housing office building for affordable housing, once the current office moves to Highbury Corner in August.”