Publicity image of the redeveloped leisure centre ‘does not show the massive block of flats’

• ISLINGTON Council’s motto is “A fairer Islington”, but there seems to be very little that is fair or decent about the council’s redevelopment of Finsbury Leisure Centre.

It is advertised as an improvement and expansion of existing facilities, but the council plans to build on the existing site a huge, gated community overshadowing the whole length of St Luke’s Garden.

The image shown at the home page at www.thefinsburycentre.co.uk has been used in all of the publicity yet it does not show the massive block of flats which in the architectural drawings are the main part of the design.

It is not clear how many of the flats the council is proposing would be privately owned and how many would be affordable or social housing.

They would obviously block sunlight and have a detrimental impact on St Luke’s Garden. Local social housing residents at Burnhill House would also have their light blocked by the new building and would have to contend with the prospect of much increased fuel bills.

Councillors have said they are willing to listen to local residents’ concerns about the design. Why then at meetings do they refuse to consider, explore or work with any ideas or suggestions?

Finsbury Leisure Centre should be redeveloped, but it should be expanded and improved to serve the community, not just rebuilt and reduced to make way for property investors.

This is supposed to be a Labour council, so why does it not consult with workers and residents who have been using Finsbury Leisure Centre and St Luke’s Garden for decades and/or have lived in the area for as long?

If the council is to live up to its own motto of “A fairer Islington” then it must be “A fairer Islington” for the many, not just the wealthy few.

KATHARINE BRYNN
Address supplied