THE FUTURE OF HORNSEY TOWN HALL & ITS SITE - AN URGENT MESSAGE

Contrary to the impression given at the presentation given by Haringey last
Thursday, the consultation for the Planning Application for the whole scheme
appears to conclude very rapidly on or around Thursday 8th April – that’s
TODAY. That means that if you are unhappy about any of the aspects of the
scheme you should IMMEDIATELY submit comments either via the box towards the
bottom of the the three Haringey web site links below, or write to them at

Development Management Support Planning & Regeneration 639 High Road
Tottenham London N17 8BD

stating the reference numbers HGY/2010/0500, 0501 and 0502 giving your
reasons. The Planning Officer is Stuart Cooke and his no is 0208 489 1000
ext 5129

Despite the fact that the official consultation period ends today, the
proposals were only put up for public display in Hornsey Library last
Tuesday (6th April) although they have been available to view at the
Council’s offices in Tottenham. Given the vast amount of poorly referenced
documentation, the timing (holiday period) & the speed with which this is
being pushed through, you will appreciate that these are political decisions
to minimise the opportunity for negative feedback. Please ensure that your
comments cannot be sidelined – respond today.

If you don't already know, Haringey Council set up their own "Hornsey Town
Hall Creative Trust" some 5 years ago to oversee the preparation of plans
for the scheme. The drawings and Design Statement can be viewed here,

http://www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk/portal/servlets/Applica...

(the Planning Application)

http://www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk/portal/servlets/Applica...

(Application for Listed Building Consent)

http://www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk/portal/servlets/Applica...

(Conservation Area consent)

http://www.hornsey-town-hall.org.uk/assets/pdf/DEVELOPMENT_CONTROL_...

(Presentation document)

but be warned - there is a very large quantity. There is a separate file
with a list of drawings which will enable you to choose which ones to look
at but these are poorly referenced. Bear in mind that the scheme will be
built to the Drawings - and not as indicated in the Design Statement (which
deviates from the drawings in several areas).

The key issues which have come to light so far are as follows:

- Residential accommodation upto 6 stories in height is being proposed to
help fund the refurbishment. The size of the development seems to overshadow the Town Hall itself.

- What reassurance is there that once the 'facilitating' housing is built ,
the Town Hall will still be left derelict? There are examples of other
buildings where this has happened

- Why are there so many discrepancies between the application drawings and
the Design Statement? The application is very misleading and does not give a
clear picture of what is being proposed and why.

- Haringey's various consultations for the site have indicated the majority
of residents overwhelmingly favour:-

- The incorporation of a Cinema in the Town Hall. - The provision of
adequate parking users of the Town Hall facilities (& visitors / shoppers)

Why has the Council chosen to ignore these wishes -the inclusion of a
purpose built Cinema has been recently dropped (although one of the
potential uses of the multifunctional auditorium) and only 64 parking spaces
provided for the whole site (inc 10 disabled) (123 flats, 98,000 sq ft, 250
people))? Except for the few disabled spaces there is no provision for
parking for any of the communal facilities, be they employees or visitors.
Based on the maximum parking provision that a developer might seek to build
to ensure the success of the development as a whole, within the guidelines
of Haringey’s own UDP, they might reasonably apply for permission to build a
multistorey carpark.

- Why does the Design Statement not acknowledge that Haringey's own
assessment of the Public Transport Accessibility of the site is 'Low to
Medium'. The “travel plans” written by their transport consultant refers to
the Public Transport Accessibility as “Good”. Is this your experience?

- What will be the effect of the large number of flats on already stretched
local services, especially bus services in peak hours? What steps are
proposed to address this, given the large amounts of congestion already
experienced.

- Expert research conducted by local people indicate that Orchestral
Rehearsals in the Halls during the day was the best way of ensuring a
revenue stream, and hence the sustainability of the restoration. Will not
orchestras (with the need to bring valuable instruments) be put off by the
absence of parking when other facilities exist that do not have this
problem? What parking facilities might be needed for travelling productions?
What provision has been made for minibuses or coaches?

- Why do the drawings indicate flats in the central link block when this
part contains fine panelled rooms of significant interest?

- The 2004 Development Brief envisaged 3-4 storey housing on the rear of the
site - why is it now acceptable these proposals indicate 5-6 storey blocks.

- Should the proposals not be driven by what is appropriate for a
conservation area, rather than trying to maximise capital receipts? Is the
scale, massing and design of the residential blocks appropriate to the
surrounding conservation area?

- Haringey are in effect granting themselves Planning Permission for this
scheme. Will there be an independent assessment of its merits? Are you
concerned that what has happened to Alexandra Palace might happen to our
Town Hall if left within the control of Haringey & their minions?

- How is the scheme any better than the original proposals of 2003 which
caused such an uproar? The main difference appears to be that the council
hasn't yet declared the terms of the lease to the Developer.

Other concerns that have been expressed are the loss of the Public Toilets
and the lack of affordable housing being provided as part of the scheme.

IF ANY OF THE ABOVE GIVE YOU CAUSE FOR CONCERN, PLEASE WRITE TO HARINGEY
PLANNERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE