Council ditches Parkland Walk protection plan

Community plans to map a Crouch End nature reserve to protect it from being swallowed up by residents’ gardens have been thrown out by the council.

The Crouch End Area Committee decided to map the boundaries of Parkland Walk, which runs from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace, as part of its area plan in the hope of reducing land disputes and encroachment on to the historic green space.

But Haringey Council has since told it that the plans are “not in accordance with agreed council policy” and it has been removed from the area plan – a move which has angered Liberal Democrat councillors.

Lib Dem leader Cllr Richard Wilson said: “The refusal of the council to include a study to map the boundaries of the Parkland Walk throws into doubt its obligation to protect this precious open space.

“Residents and councillors understood that the council has many financial pressures and suggested that this would be a great project for newly qualified surveyors from a nearby university to take on.

“But what we are left with is a council without a clue as to the boundaries of one of its most loved green spaces and little evidence it wants to protect it further.”

But a Haringey Council spokesman said that land issues regarding the former railway line were in hand.

He said: “Since 2008 the majority of legitimate leases for land backing on to the nature reserve have been renewed at market rent, providing funding towards the upkeep of the site.

“The issue of unlawful encroachment at Parkland Walk is currently being addressed.

“Land will either be voluntarily returned to the nature reserve or appropriate legal action can be taken in the event of non-compliance.”