Evergreen Residents mount petition in opposition to proposed new TfL Harringay substation

Local residents who live in the new blocks between Green Lanes and Harringay Road are likely to be the most adversely affected by the proposed new TfL substation. 

In addition to being saddled with a plug-ugly addition to our streetscape, they stand to suffer from the vibrations (admitted to by TfL) and the permanent loss of the previously proposed pocket park on the site. 

Before I raised this issue over two weeks ago and got it taken up by our councillors and by the LCSP, Haringey Council were not even allowing the public to comment on the planning proposal. I note that comments are now being allowed (see above link). However, given the apparent 'superpowers' granted to TfL under planning law, I am not certain what weight these comments will carry. (Even those objections made against an application from an applicant unendowed with superpowers seem often to be voices in the wilderness).

Here's why my comment on the planning site says:

Whilst I do not object in principle to the substation, I object to specific elements of it and to the way that the application was being handled as a shoo-in where residents were not initially being allowed to express their views. We are informed by Haringey Planning that the application did not need to be submitted to a full planning process because, "Development by railway undertakers on their operational land, required in connection with the movement of traffic by rail falls under Schedule 2, Part 8, Class A of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, which is why the applicant has applied via certificate."

In my view, TfL's proposals need consideration and very probably at the minimum amendment, In particular, there are four aspects which concern me.

1. The level of noise for nearby properties already flagged in the application.

2. The impact on visual amenity in this prominent site. This is not addressed at all in the application and there are no visuals to suggest that visual amenity has been taken into account. It will block the view of the much neglected but this potentially fine shaft building that was part of the mainly listed set of buildings of the Piccadilly Line extension.

3. In HGY/2016/1807, , the applicant for 590-598 Green Lanes London N8 0RA (which you should note includes this site), made a specific reference in his application to the site in front of the ventilation shaft building that is the site for HGY/2026/1854. The 2016 application specified:

"..we are proposing to create a 'Pocket Space' on the corner of Green Lanes and Colina Mews. This space will be partly used for a few parking spaces allocated to the NHS facility, but the rest of the space during the week and the entire space at weekends could be used for a community led activity such as a pop-up cafe."
This opportunity to create this much needed public amenity will be forever lost.

4. I think we should also be told if TfL have considered other sites. Is there for example not space in the Wood Green Substation or Manor House Subtation?

I object to the current application until these issues are addressed by an open scrutiny and investigation of the application.

I urge you to add your comments to the application and perhaps we should all object to ensure that these plans are sent back to TfL for proper consideration.

You can also sign the petition started by the Evergreen residents here. 

I asked Ian Sygrave of the LCSP to get involved because of his excellent understanding of planning law. I am pleased that he agreed to get involved. I attach a copy of a letter he wrote to the planning officer with whom I corresponded, just four days after I approached him.