Published: 3 February, 2012

• A good turnout of concerned residents attended Highbury East Ward Partnership meeting on Tuesday night to hear the latest update on plans for Highbury Roundhouse.

The planning brief for the proposed development is due to go to the council executive for approval next week.

Clearly, the council has listened to comments submitted in response to its consultation, offering residents some comfort on amenity and the impact of the development on neighbouring properties, though many still have concerns.

However, it is quite clear that developers are being given carte blanche to demolish the Roundhouse office building at 71 Ronalds Road to allow them to go for a new build (VAT-free) rather than refurbishing the existing building, which would incur VAT payments.  

The council claimed that the building not being listed was justification for allowing demolition.

If the council had a serious commitment to sustainability it would encourage the retention of a perfectly sound building.

Further, the council seems to have given up on its strategic aim to provide a recreational walking and cycling route from Highbury Fields via Gillespie Park to link with the Parkland Walk at Finsbury Park, even though it is currently working on this link through the Sustrans Connect 2 project at the other end.  

While Whistler Street residents and users of Olden Gardens have justifiable (but not insurmountable) concerns about design and security, this
should not be enough to justify cancelling what would be a major strategic benefit for the borough.

The proposed omission of this final link in the chain is a sad loss.

Islington Green Party urges Councillor Paul Convery to reconsider this before finalising the planning brief.

While residents were relieved to hear that at last the council has allowed the Roundhouse a lease, a major concern is that it has to raise nearly £2m by the end of this year.

This is a moment for all of us who care about this community asset to either dig deep in our pockets or get creative with fundraising ideas.  

Highbury, let’s see what we can do!

Caroline Russell
Islington Green Party