The Holloway Prison site

• I AM fuming at the decision by the planning committee concerning the Holloway Prison site redevelopment.

It was International Women’s Day and a majority male planning committee listened to the majority female objectors, all with very well considered and justifiable objections, particularly about the legacy of the site and what that means for women; above all the importance of a women’s building instead of a ground-floor squeezed under a high-rise block; the terrible impact of overdevelopment on the surrounding area; the poor quality of some of the social housing when those on the waiting list need high standard, long-lasting, decent homes; the need for tenure balance rather than favouring market housing; the need for community facilities as there are none; and the need to address Islington Council’s climate emergency 2030 targets.

The committee decided instead to go with the majority male Peabody team, whose position is one of little or no change.

No notice was taken of environmental objections, except some vague reference to heat pumps, despite the council’s claim to prioritise the environment in its decision-making.

And it felt like something from the past, as though they were still in a bygone era with little regard to women, to the vital legacy of the site, to those who will live on the site, to the community or to the climate crisis.

The world is changing, but we see little changing with Peabody and, it seems, Islington Council decision-making.

What a snub to women!

LINDA CLARKE, N7