St Ann's Hospital redevelopment | public planning meeting 29 November

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Permalink Reply by Cathy on December 1, 2022 at 9:18

I attended the meeting.  The Catalyst plan was adopted unanimously.  

The area benefits from a oasis that provides cooler air in a heatwave.  This will be replaced with hard surfaces (roads, pavements, plazas, blocks of flats) that multiply the heat.

Someone at the meeting had the nerve to say this was to deal with the housing crisis, as if flats meant for the very well off (market properties) and the well off ('affordable' properties) was going to help those threatened with homelessness or suffering overcrowding.

The 16% social housing was not guaranteed, the Council saying nothing about whether they would buy that 16% or indeed afford to buy it.

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Permalink Reply by Hugh on December 1, 2022 at 9:51

Thanks for letting us know. It seems far from the dreams of te START days. For me the writing was on the wall as soon as the GLA stepped in.

It's an interesting reflection of an historical piece I'm researching and writing at the moment about the story of mid-Victorian working class housing dreams invested in an area of Hornsey - three steps forward, two-back and of course, the loss of green space (in this case farmland!). Both then and now scarcity of public funds and the hunt for profit won the day. 

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Permalink Reply by Carla Mitchell on December 1, 2022 at 21:57

Friends of St Ann's Green Spaces is deeply saddened by the decision, which will see over 100 healthy trees cut down. Nearly 50% have 40+ years life.

It was particularly scandalous that not a single councillor on the Planning Committee mentioned the issue of climate change. They did not seem to realise that the loss of a hectare of green tree canopy (the size of 2 football fields) will not be replaced for 20 years - if the new saplings survive that long - far too late to address climate emergency. Similarly, the loss of the green wildlife corridor hedgerow behind Warwick Gardens - despite Haringey's new policy which supports.. guess what? existing hedgerows..

Another appalling part of St Ann's housing development is the impact on schoolchildren at Chestnuts Primary School. A new entrance is planned directly opposite the reception playground, but with no adequate consultation with the school. Two young people (from Year 6) spoke at the Committee, and pointed out that the particulates from the demolition and construction vehicles would contravene the human rights of the child. They were wonderful, but the councillors were unmoved. There was some weak statement that the development would ensure 'as little as possible' construction vehicles using that new entrance. The school is arguing for a pedestrian-only road there, much more sensible.

And finally, and worst of all, the housing crisis. It will be a miracle if we get 60% even 'affordable' homes from the development.

Unfortunately things won't change without a massive political transformation. Local councils are in hock to developers and planning laws are far too weak around climate change, affordable housing and the real needs of local people.

A huge thanks for all the support we have had. We will continue to hold the Council and developers to account. There is more to fight for. If you would like to find out more, email us: friendsofstags@gmail.com

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