74 Burgoyne Road - appeal to Secretary of State

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Permalink Reply by Louisa Spivack on August 2, 2013 at 8:40

This development backs onto ours in Cavendish Road.    We complained about the garden extension back in 2008 as it meant that trees were felled; light was blocked and it is a hideous sight.    But they were allowed to build it as it is just the right height to not need planning permission.   At the moment, it is gradually being obscured by a combination of my tree branches and ivy.

My husband has written to the council, urging them not to grant permission for any further development of this house.

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Permalink Reply by Betty Careless on August 7, 2013 at 11:32

Umm I'm childless but I've lived in the area for over 10 years, I'd kind of like to think that I'm part of the community as well.  Not having a child doesn't necessarily make you an antisocial neigbour

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Lu on August 13, 2013 at 10:12

I am one of the tenants at 74 Burgoyne Road.  While I understand everyone's concerns and cannot comment on the legalities of the matter, I would like to comment on a few points that have been brought up throughout this process (which includes objection letters that can be accessed on the Harringay council website). 

One point that has been brought up is that the conversion to four flats potentially brings people into the community who won't contribute to the community. In fact, in some instances, they may be antisocial and depreciate a sense of community.  This is indeed possible.  But I would have to agree with Betty's point.  So long as the landlords are bringing in the right people, this won't be happen.  Recently, our landlords have been proactive in addressing this issue.  It's not a question of a family's configuration (i.e., kids or no kids), but the quality of the people.

By no means are the people at 74 Burgoyne a hindrance to the community.  We are all respectful individuals.  Furthermore, by no means is 74 Burgoyne the most dilapidated and ill-maintained property on the ladder. 

The concern about usurping parking spaces is not, currently, an issue, as no one owns a car. 

I understand the point that a sense of community is built by having people here who want to settle down in the area.  But whose to say that 74 Burgoyne is not providing an opportunity for those who want to be in the area a chance to enjoy the diversity and vibrancy of the ladder?  In fact, if and when people do move on, they may want to remain in this area because they've had an opportunity to consider the ladder 'home'. 

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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on August 13, 2013 at 10:58

EXACTLY!!!!

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Permalink Reply by ElleCarumba on August 13, 2013 at 12:24

Am I missing something? Who said something about needing to have children to be part of the community?

For the record, I don't have any problems with  the current tenants at 74 Burgoyne Rd (I am a very near neighbour) but I still think it is totally wrong that your landlord has broken planning law and flouted regulations. And by doing so, he/she is able to make a considerable sum of money charging rent to the tenants of the four flats. I think it is wrong that he/she is able to get away with this by dragging out the legal process and employing lawyers to find loopholes to allow them to continue to make a profit from their law-breaking.

If they were a responsible and decent landlord, they would have followed the laws that we are all supposed to live by. If we don't like the laws, we should try and get them changed rather than just ignore them.

It is not intended as an attack on you personally, Kevin.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Lu on August 13, 2013 at 12:38

Dear Elle,

Thanks for your response.  The original message to which Betty replied has been taken down.  I was also referring to some of the documents that were sent to Harringay council during the last appeal, where residents raised concerns that more tenants in the house (i.e., 4 flats rather than 2) meant a greater probability of attracting the wrong people into the area.  I'm summarizing, of course, but that was the overall concern being conveyed. 

I appreciate that your reply is not a comment on us per se, and no offense has been taken.  I'm glad to hear that we haven't been a cause for concern to our immediate neighbours.

Best,

Kevin.

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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on August 13, 2013 at 15:06

To explain my exclamation a little. Harringay is medium density housing. Slowly the top of the ladder, more than the bottom two thirds anyway, is turning into high density housing. From 2001 -> 2011 the population of this part of the ladder increased over 30% whilst the rest of the ladder remained pretty static. I blame the proximity of Turnpike Lane Station. There is massive, massive  demand from normal, everyday tenants for bedsits and small flats. The market is doing its job and satisfying this demand, sometimes the people doing it are getting caught.

My solution (after gating WIghtman Rd) would be to demolish from Effingham up and replace it with well made high density housing, hopefully with penthouse flats so that we in the North can look down on those in the south. Until then, we play whack-a-mole with property developers.

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