NEWS on Finsbury Park & previous Admin’s threat to Rowans

Council acts on community feedback on Rowans

Residents in three Boroughs will be releived to see the new Haringey Green Administration act to blue-pencil the previous Admin’s long-running threat to Rowans Bowling Alley.

This has the not incidental effect of protecting Metropolitan Open Land from an ill-conceived and ill-considered land-swap, cooked-up by the previous Administration's Planning Team, who have insufficient regard for parks and a little too much regard for developers.

One aspect of this, is that the previous crew's intention to exploit to the absolute maximum one of the furtherest reach of the Borough—having big impact of two neighbouring Boroughs—would have been made with net zero co-operation of those Boroughs.

This was evidence of Haringey Exceptionalism advanced by "officers".

Those who talk with senior persons in neighbouring councils are likely aware of the Fortress Island mentality in terms of Events, Traffic and Planning matters of our council's "officers".

In those terms, one memorable phrase I heard recently from those outside quarters, is that our Council is viewed as "Albania"! 

I can hear now the barking of the SeaLions, Where's your evidence? … but I'm not revealing sources!

Wiser heads have prevailed and the new Administration's decision has also avoided—or greatly delayed—possible future Judicial Review. In my view, that three-way Borough corner—wholly in Harringay Ward—should be considered as a whole.

Or, as a Town Centre and if necessary by the London Mayor. A Town Centre affects a 110 acre park and one of London's most important transport nodes. It should not be down to a single council, acting narrowly, selfishly and unilaterally.

I look forward to seeing more Green principles in our Borough's Local Plan.

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