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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

DEMOLITION OF COLIN CHAPMAN / LOTUS CARS SITE IN TOTTENHAM LANE

Anyone interested in local history, Lotus Cars or F1 may wish to know about a recent planning application to demolish the site where Lotus racing Cars began in Tottenham Lane in 1953

Planning Application No. HGY/2015/0311http://www.haringey.gov.uk/sites/haringeygovuk/files/register_of_lo...

I have just submitted my own objection (below) and urge others to look at the application and make their own comments to the application

Objection

I wish to state that I object to the application to demolish existing buildings on site at 11 Tottenham Lane N8 next to what was The Railway Hotel and the original home to Colin Chapman’s Lotus Motor Car Racing Company Factory.

Although the address of the application is stated as 11 Tottenham Lane it does include what is listed at http://www.haringey.gov.uk/sites/haringeygovuk/files/register_of_lo... as No. 7 Tottenham Lane, the site of Lotus cars in the 1950s.

In 1984, with the agreement of Haringey Council, Club Lotus erected a memorial plaque on one of the original Lotus office buildings.

In 2004 Haringey Council added 7 Tottenham Lane to its Register of Local Listed Buildings.

Yet on the application, by a person in Yorkshire, with seemingly no local connection, interest or knowledge to demolish many buildings on this historic site (now Jewson’s Builders yard) seems to make no mention of Colin Chapman, Lotus cars, listed building status or the plaque.

No mention is made of plans to even relocate the plaque.

I am very concerned that yet again one of Hornsey’s remaining buildings of historic interest and importance will disappear with the collusion of Haringey Council’s Planning Department and Committee.

We are currently seeing our historic bathhouse frontage being demolished with no attempt by the council to protect it despite concerns by local residents.

I am particularly upset by the potential loss of this site as Hornsey Village - A Walk which I co-wrote was only published in August 2014 (by Hornsey Historical Society, of which I am a member) where the historic importance of the site was highlighted on page 21 as follows:-

This was originally The Railway Hotel, a country inn with a spacious tea garden, adjacent to Great Northern Railway, which opened in 1850, with Hornsey as the first station out of London. The Railway Hotel was later managed by the father of Colin Chapman who established the Lotus Engineering Company here in 1951 and developed Lotus sports cars. These motor racing, award-winning cars were built behind the pub until 1959 when the company moved to Cheshunt. A plaque commemorating Chapman and the Lotus Company is on the building to the right of the entrance to Jewson’s builders yard.

A photo of the plaque can be seen at http://colinchapmanmuseum.org.uk/

To find that one of the featured sites will be gone in less than a year after publication is shocking.

I wonder if this would be allowed to happen elsewhere in the borough other than Hornsey?

Is the council aware that this is a locally listed building?

Why has the owner not been made to refer to the listed status and the plaque in the application?

I hope the council do not permit such desecration of our historic past and lack of respect for Colin Chapman, a man of recognised national importance.

I strongly object to this planning application

Tags for Forum Posts: colin chapman, lotus, lotus cars

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John D on February 10, 2015 at 23:16

Thanks for that Lesley. I will forward it to the Historic Lotus Club who will certainly want to object.

Permalink Reply by Lesley Ramm on February 11, 2015 at 0:03

Cheers

Permalink Reply by John D on February 11, 2015 at 7:03

I looked on the Planning website for HGY/2015/0311 but it comes up with nothing found. ??

Permalink Reply by Omotn on February 11, 2015 at 8:37

This link works   http://opn8.co.uk/lotusN8 though Lesley's objection has not yet appeared.

Permalink Reply by John D on February 11, 2015 at 10:36

Thanks Omotn.

Permalink Reply by Lesley Ramm on February 12, 2015 at 9:57
Permalink Reply by John D on February 11, 2015 at 10:52

Permalink Reply by Jeremyb on February 11, 2015 at 11:31

Lesley's objection has now appeared. I've sent an email to the Colin Chapman Museum people to alert them.

Permalink Reply by Lesley Ramm on February 12, 2015 at 17:38

I have heard from Neil Duncan of the Colin Chapman Museum who has notified all their subscribers of the planning application.

He also says

Hi, I have taking with the organisers of the Hornsey carnival, which
runs an annual parade through Hornsey & Crouch End. I have suggested
that it needs more elements relating to Hornsey's history, the number
one being the birth of Lotus cars. So I am looking for any local Lotus
owners (old Lotus' rather than new) who would be interested in joining
the parade from 2-4pm, Sat 4th July 2015. It may also serve as a
rallying point to stop Jewsons knocking down the old showroom (see
other email). Chris Arnold (son of Graham Arnold). Thank you Chris Arnold and Lesley Ramm

Permalink Reply by John McMullan on February 12, 2015 at 20:31

I afraid I don't know any locals who own a Lotus. *cough* John D *cough*

Permalink Reply by John D on February 12, 2015 at 21:19

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT A LOTUS

Permalink Reply by Gordon T on February 12, 2015 at 21:24

Applause!!

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