Cheaper to repair Highbury Roundhouse, insist campaigners

Published: 20th May, 2011
by PETER GRUNER

A NEW battle over Highbury Roundhouse community centre erupted this week after the Town Hall decided to go ahead with plans for demolition.

Supporters of the centre in Ronalds Road have warned they will seek a court injunction to halt the bulldozers.

Islington Council slapped a “danger” notice on the centre’s main building in August last year, arguing that it was unsafe and too expensive to repair.

The council wants to demolish the 40-year-old building and replace it with a new community centre along with affordable homes.

Tony Miller, secretary of Highbury Roundhouse committee, said the council had ignored the advice of independent structural engineers, who had demonstrated that repairs to the building were perfectly affordable, even in the present difficult economic times.

“Indeed, repair is five times cheaper than demolition,” Mr Miller added.

He believes the council’s decision could be challenged in the courts. 

“We have notified the council that, unless they rescind the decision, we will be obliged to seek an injunction in the High Court, restraining them from proceeding to demolish.”

If the council decided to apply for planning permission, there would have to be a public consultation, he added.

Councillor Paul Convery, Labour regeneration chief, said the council’s surveyors believe the building is not worth saving. 

“It’s a dangerous building slipping down the railway embankment and the truth is that the cost of underpinning and repairing it would be extraordinary, pushing £750,000. 

“Highbury Roundhouse will continue, however. We are committed to providing a new community centre on the site.”

Lib Dem councillor John Gilbert said: “If the council doesn’t agree with the independent engineers then they should put the matter to arbitration rather than unilaterally imposing their view and knocking the building down.”

The centre, which has provided a community base for 40 years, has been running activities from six other venues since August last year.