An artist’s impression of how parts of the large housing development in Vorley Road, Archway, will look

• THE major planning application for Vorley Road in Archway fails to take account of crucial issues, (Row over affordable homes on site, November 4).

Although it is an Islington plan there would be significant knock-on effects for neighbouring Camden, and also for Haringey.

To begin with the proposal ignores Islington’s own 2007 Framework for Archway, a key planning document which has been excluded from consideration.

The framework includes designing out crime which has been completely neglected in the application. Archway has a dense and rich mix of people and buildings with limited public service facilities and green spaces.

The plan for 72 new homes would create a very high-density development with unsafe, overcrowded, spaces for residents and the public. The cramming of so much building into Vorley Road is generally a serious concern for local people, and conservation and environmental groups.

Vorley Road currently enjoys an open aspect with bus stands, nursery school, and a large open space with trees upon which residents from the big adjacent Girdlestone Estate depend for fresh air and greenery.

The blocking out of such key features would destroy the balance of uses and character of the neighbourhood. The well established nursery school would have to move and the Archway public library be relocated.

Very poor consideration has been given in the plan to public transport needs with Archway as a main hub for buses in north London particularly for the three boroughs directly affected, Islington, Haringey and Camden.

From Archway buses travel all over the city. The bus stands and bus through-routes in Vorley Road would be abolished; thereby increasing traffic, parking, and pollution problems. It would generate more inconvenience for passengers, and the needs of elderly and disabled people are again not properly addressed.

The Northern line Archway tube station is also crucial to the transport network and interchanges. It would be very badly affected by closures in the mornings due to overcrowding as a result of this development and others planned for the area. This, too, shows a very serious failure of integrated planning.

In all, the proposed development is unsympathetic to residents and their surroundings. For invaluable council-owned land the plan fails to address the drastic underprovision of social housing.

A one-off historic chance is being thrown away. There is no community friendly and sustainable approach to healthy or green surroundings.

Objections are numerous and mounting and Islington councillors should take note of views and concerns by refusing this badly thought-out application which would damage the fabric of Archway long term.

Here is a great opportunity to do good for a neighbourhood which doesn’t lay claim to much wealth but has a strong community heritage and culture.

Islington needs to work with Archway communities not bulldoze away their needs and concerns. The scheme needs a complete rethink.

SHARON LYTTON
Cromwell Avenue, N6