The proposed new development

RESIDENTS opposed to a major new development in Archway have dubbed it the “Horror of Highgate Hill” due to fears that it will loom over their homes and gardens.

The Tribune reported in February how developers SevenCapital have drawn up plans for the Archway Campus site and want to build a 36-storey tower among several new buildings. But they are facing objections from the Stop Archway Campus group, made up of residents in Lidyard Road and Despard Road, who have started a petition against the scheme.

They say that the northern most building – designated as affordable housing – is too big.

“Everybody is talking about the tower, but the building at the top next to Lidyard Road and Despard Road is nine storeys high,” said group member Mark Davies, who has lived in Lidyard Road for 20 years. His back garden is six inches away from the development.

He added: “There’s a huge loss of privacy, and it’ll be intimidating – it’s literally looming over us. We’ve started calling it the ‘Horror of Highgate Hill’, because that’s really what it’s going to be.

“We will have hundreds of windows overlooking us all along the boundary. At the moment, we don’t know if they’ll be bedrooms or kitchens. It doesn’t matter – we’ll be able to see their wallpaper. I won’t need to get Sky, because I can just watch the football through my garden.”

Mr Davies said that he and his neighbours will lose a significant amount of light into their homes. As they live so close to the development, they will also have to deal with the dust and debris raised by any demolition works.

The group want the development to be rotated: with the residential building being put to the south of the development, and green space being moved north.

“They’ve put all the green spaces down where Archway roundabout is, but there’s no point,” said Mr Davies. “The green space should be up by us, which gives a soft barrier between us and the development, and it means the families in the affordable housing will have the green space.”

He is adamant that he and his group are pro the development and the inclusion of affordable housing, but added: “We’re not being nimbys. We just want a sensible plan that works for everybody.”

A spokesperson from SevenCapital said: “We are continuing to consult with local councillors and residents on the development and welcome their feedback on the scheme.”

A spokesperson for Islington Council said: “Council officers have been in pre-application discussions with SevenCapital but no planning application has been submitted to date. If an application is submitted, local residents will be consulted and have an opportunity to comment in line with the statutory and council procedures for developments of this scale.

“Any comments submitted at this stage will of course be fully and properly considered.”