Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Pioneering Highgate Neighbourhood Forum gives residents new powers to shape area
Following the buzzy discussion on HoL earlier in the year, I thought it was interesting to see that the citizens of Highgate have now established their own neighbourhood forum.
The following is extracted from an article in the Ham and High:
Highgate residents could install a pond in Pond Square or club together to buy prized land to stop it being built on, after they launched a groundbreaking new neighbourhood forum.
Around 70 residents crowded into The Bull pub in North Road last Tuesday (May 29) to set up the pioneering Highgate Neighbourhood Forum.
Speaking at the launch, newly elected committee member, Michael Hammerson, said the forum allowed residents the power not just to object to developments, but to shape them.
“We can designate sites as community assets that ought to be used for a specific community purpose and could even buy them ourselves.
Launched in December by the government as part of David Cameron’s Big Society agenda, neighbourhood forums allow communities to draw up plans to decide what buildings and services they want to keep in the area.
The committee is independent from the council and the government, and is not funded by either body.
Maggy Meade King, who was also elected onto the committee, said: “In a sense we can do anything because the legislation is so vague.
“So if a site presented itself, because we have the power to give outline planning permission, we can do a deal with a developer to meet the needs we require.
“We have never had that power before. Previously, it has all been about opposing. Now we can play an active role in how we want our area to be.
For more information visit highgateneighbourhoodforum.org.uk.
Tags for Forum Posts: neighbourhood forum
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by David Martin on
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Sounds like a very empowering scheme! Dont really understand how they can have the power they are claiming. If true, can all the boroughs set these up I wonder?
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Permalink Reply by pamish on
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I can't help feeling that this is not a benevolent gift from HMG. Local council powers have been chipped away at by both parties in Central Govt since I've been following the story - from abolition of GLC to Academy schools, it's all taking power from the council and ultimately bringing it back to the centre. While eg we would love to remove from LBH the power to demolish our local market and shops (see Wards Corner 2003 passim.) that one sucky example is not enough to make me want all planning decisions to be given to my neighbours who may have very different needs and wants from me. To whom are these forums accountable? What is the role of elected councillors vs the forum? What happens if there is a big falling out? Clashing democracies can provide excellent spectator sport - eg my union (NUJ) has an elected General Secretary and an elected NEC, and there have been some mighty ding-dongs when their opinions differed.
Suspicious of N15.
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