The Community Garden N4 - stop the bulldozers!

You have till this Friday 7th March to object to the council's proposal to bulldoze the Community Garden (N4).

The council has proposed this as part of wider plans (the Site Allocation DPD plan) they are consulting us on re future housing development in our borough. They believe access should be re-established as part of these plans. Naturally enough, whose who are familiar with this community space are none too happy about this.

If you don't know much about the background for the reasons for setting up the Community Garden here's some history from the people involved;

The main reason for the construction of the Community Garden in 2002 was to stop the site being used as a crime route from Sainsbury's (south side of the Barking to Gospel Oak Railway line and trespassing on this railway line and has since become a place for community events and a focal point for the local community.

When we proposed the garden construction in year 2000 we had full support of the project from ;
The British Transport Police -
Met Police -
London Quadrent Housing (land owners to the South of the Railway Line),
Sainsbury's,
Haringey Council
Finsbury Park Partnership, and local residents.

After the closing of the railway arch and construction of the garden the crime rate dropped by 95% at the Sainsbury's cash point machine to the south of the garden and surrounding area as we stopped a means of escape for criminal activity.

And here's a flavour of what activities have taken place since;

The Garden is a local focal point for community events spanning 12 years, which have included; 

• Outdoor film events
• Yearly Summer Fairs,
• Halloween,
• Carols,
• regular educational workshops for children and young adults,
• Xmas tree recycling gardening events,
• Tool bank, hire of community equipment to other local groups and schools.

On average 1500 local people use the site throughout the year for various activities. The garden is a multi award winning space which has 23 local & national awards.

You can object by emailing the council using this address .....

Your comments must be received by Friday 7th March and should be sent by email to:
ldf@haringey.gov.uk

Feel free to use some or all or the wording below;

I write to oppose Haringey Coucils proposal to open up the Railway arch no: 2018 at Doncaster Gardens, N4.
This site has been a well-established local community asset for 12 years - since 2002 - and has been fundraised and built as a Community Garden by local residents. It used to be an entrance roadway to the famous but now demolished Haringey Stadium. The site fell into disrepair when the Haringey Stadium site was developed and no one took ownership of the strip of land and railway arch at the end of Doncaster Gardens for some 15 years (approx 1986 to 2001).

The open railway archway caused serious problems with vandalism, trespassing, and crime, including dumping, prostitution, and provided escape routes for muggers from the Sainsbury’s cash point machine, and caused crime tresspassing and maintenance issues to local residents and the Railway Company. Opening up the archway as proposed will increase  crime in Wiltshire Gardens, Finsbury Park Ave and Doncaster Gardens, Stanhope Gardens and beyond, as well as to the Arena Estate.
Below are the aims of the Community Garden.
Combatting crime and ensuring community safety were the main reasons for its original Community Garden development by local residents.

The aims of the Community Garden are; (Taken from the Management Plan)
•       Is a crime and safety initiative aiming at reducing local crime.
•       Encourages gardening.
•       Has created a local meeting space for our multicultural community.
•       Enhances the local environment and is cared for by residents.
•       Meets social needs of small children, parents, elderly, disabled, mental health patients, and gives a rest area for all.
•       Has created ownership by the community of the local environment through regular maintenance days and events.

The proposal to open up the archway would inevitably demolish the Community Garden and precipitate the removal of a community asset and local pocket park.

The Garden is a local focal point for community events spanning 12 years, which have included;
Outdoor film events, Yearly Summer Fairs, Halloween, Carols, regular educational workshops for children and young adults, Xmas tree recycling gardening events, Tool bank, hire of community equipment to other local groups and schools.
On average 1500 local people use the site throughout the year for various activities.

The garden is a multi award winning space which has 23 local & national awards to date including best Community Garden in London, eight consecutive years holder of Green Flag Award and five time winner of the RHS London in Bloom Outstanding Award winner to name a few.
I  oppose the loss of a much loved community asset.

Your Name: _____________
Your Address_____________
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