Barnsbury Estate

• GOOD to see Cllr Martin Klute, chair of Islington’s planning committee, caveating Newlon Housing Association’s (NHA) proposed mega-demolition / new-build scheme for the New Barnsbury Estate: “There is a distinct possibility some changes will need to be made to the scheme, and those will need to be consulted on again”, (Estate vision unveiled for 10-year transformation, June 17).

Newlon had previously announced that its environmentally damaging proposal would be submitted in “spring 2022”.

In the offing since October 2019, the plan will triple the number of homes on the existing site.

It seems NHA was waiting on Islington Council granting it compulsory-purchase powers which would allow it to buy out any leaseholders opposed to losing their homes under its scheme.

The council executive of eight elected members duly obliged in April when it nodded through a CPO (compulsory purchase order) for the NHA’s proposal under the direction of then-housing executive member, Diarmaid Ward.

Cllr Ward, whose executive powers have since been inflated to cover “finance, planning and performance”, alongside his role as deputy leader of the council, described NHA’s plan as a “wonderful” scheme…

Newlon’s assertion that it “consulted extensively with residents… who voted overwhelmingly in favour of transforming the estate in an estate-wide ballot” fails to mention that compulsory purchase was not part of the consultation, (Compulsory purchase not part of the consultation! April 29).

Democracy, truth… What delicate blooms.

MEG HOWARTH
Ellington Street, N7