Holloway Prison site

• AS Jenny Kassman pointed out, the Ministry of Justice has yet to find a buyer for Holloway Prison site, (Mayor could dip into housing budget to buy prison site, June 29).

In November last year, the government seemed confident that a preferred bidder would be announced in the spring. Now, prisons minister Rory Stewart says it will be the end of 2018, more than three years after the sale was announced.

Clearly, a combination of Islington Council’s robust planning guidance, the faltering housing market and the insistence of the community that it has a say in what is built on the site has put off those seeking to make a quick buck at the expense of the community.

Residents who want to create a plan for the site that puts council housing and community resources at the centre of any future development should come to the Community Plan for Holloway Community and Architects Day tomorrow (Saturday). It takes place between 11am and 2pm at Williamson Street Community Centre, 76 Parkhurst Road.

WILL MCMAHON
Community Plan for Holloway