Holloway Prison – what will be its legacy? Work on the site is expected to start later this year

• AS Labour councillors for Tufnell Park and Holloway we were delighted to see the planning committee of Islington Council resolve to grant planning permission for the Holloway Prison site. This is a site that would be transformational for Islington and for both of our wards.

Islington Labour have worked hard to secure 42 per cent social rent homes, as part of 60 per cent genuinely affordable homes, a dedicated women’s building to mark the site’s legacy, and the greenest possible development with a 5,000 sq m park, new walking and cycling routes, green roofs, and air source heat pumps to deliver low-carbon hot water and heating for residents.

The 415 social rent homes on the site are going to be life-changing for families across Holloway and Tufnell Park, many currently homeless or living in overcrowded conditions.

We were also happy to see the committee reach an agreement with Peabody that could allow the council to secure more homes at London Living Rent rather than shared ownership, a more affordable offer for local people.

We and the planning committee have worked hard to listen to our local community and make sure the plans are the best they can be.

Over the past two years, we have spoken to people across Tufnell Park and Holloway about the plans and sought to mitigate any impact on sunlight, density and community facilities, while securing the maximum amount of social rent homes.

We were also glad to see the committee defer the decision first time round, ensuring it was properly scrutinised and secured the best possible development for our community.

However, we were incredibly disappointed to see all of the main opposition parties in Islington, including the Greens and Liberal Democrats, oppose these plans.

Much of this opposition was on spurious grounds, all of which would mean fewer social homes on the site. We are delighted that Islington Labour was the only local party to truly stand up for local people.

CLLRS JASON JACKSON, DIARMAID WARD
Holloway
CLLRS TRICIA CLARKE, SATNAM GILL, GULCIN OZDEMIR
Tufnell Park