ISSN 1465 - 9425 Autumn 2016 news The Journal of the Islington Society

Development threatens Corner greenspace The desperate need for affordable housing has months (probably March 2017), but that nothing led to a controversial proposal for development could happen until the bridge strengthening at Dixon Clark Court on Highbury Corner. works were complete. This was scheduled for the scheme would see the loss of the open space end-2017, but was dependent on securing the around the existing tower block. Traditionally necessary permissions for temporary closure of the tower blocks were surrounded by green space by railways below. Freight operators displaced from way of compensation for the reduced amenity the Barking-Gospel Oak line would not want to such buildings offer. lose the alternative route via Highbury as well, and The proposal follows schemes elsewhere the new franchisee of Overground did in the Borough to increase the density of not want passengers’ first impressions to be of a rail replacement bus. council housing estates. Elsewhere this has Premier Inn rejected been achieved by demolishing underused Further south close to Mount Pleasant, the need garages, or by sensitive in fill over hardstanding. for housing has led to a more popular planning This particular scheme comes on top of decision. A proposal to turn the NCP building, the gyratory removal plans, which have also once listed in Councillor Broadbent's ten ugliest resulted in loss of green space. Many critics saw buildings in the Borough, into a Premier Inn, has the failure to take advantage of the green space been turned down. The development was out of in front of Dixon Clark Court as a lost scale with its surroundings as well as failing to opportunity. It can now be seen that this offer any element of housing. obvious solution to the problem of adding social A scheme to build on the car park at space and space for cycling without taking from Centurion Close, near Prison, is buses and bus users was not being advanced expected to be approved shortly after we went to because it would either undermine the scheme press. The scheme would provide eight two for affordable housing or itself be compromised bedroom flats. as a result of the decision to proceed with the housing scheme. The plans are also opposed by parents Contents this issue and teachers at School, which would Highbury Corner development 1 be adversely affected during construction and Society News 2 perhaps in perpetuity, since there would be a net Break with tradition: vote Harley Sherlock! 3 loss to the green lung which mitigates the School developments 3 adverse impact of the nearby traffic on air Responses to Council consultations 4 quality. Support for King’s Cross traffic scheme 4 Progress report from TfL Reviewing Islington’s locally listed buildings 5 The Association and Canonbury Islington out of step again 6 Society met Ben Plowden of TfL at the start of last Kate Pugh to retire 6 month. He indicated that revised proposals for Transport News 7 Highbury Corner would be put forward in a few Forthcoming events 8

2

Islington Society News ISLINGTON IN BLOOM provided e-mail addresses and a further copy is The Islington Society sponsored Islington in enclosed with this newsletter Bloom 2016, an annual competition run by Copy date for our next newsletter is February 5th, Islington Gardeners and Islington Council to 2017. The views expressed in the newsletter are judge the best horticultural displays in the Borough. This year we were again one of the not necessarily those of the chair, the editor, or sponsors (list attached). We sponsored the the Society's adopted policy. category “Best Community Garden”, defined as “a garden which is maintained by a group of local Islington Society: What we do people”. Judging criteria included: “choice and we support conservation planning work to use of plants, their health and maintenance and preserve the borough's historic fabric and wild-life friendliness”. individual buildings of distinction The winners of each category received we campaign for a high standard of design in certificates, awards and prizes at a ceremony held new buildings on Wednesday 14th September in the Assembly we encourage best practice through awards for Rooms next to the Town Hall. The winners of our good architecture in new or refurbished buildings sponsored category “Best Community Garden” we organise a varied programme of events were: including talks, walks and site visits 1st - Olden Community Garden we campaign for better public transport and for 2nd - Culpepper Community Garden rd priority for people travelling on foot or by bike 3 - King Henry’s Walk Community we produce publications that celebrate Garden Islington's history and its social and cultural Committee members, Sarah Curtis and David diversity Trillo, handed out the prizes to the winners of our we publish neighbourhood walking trails to category. foster exploration awareness and pride of place The borough of Islington has been we build links between residents officials and successful in previous years’ London in Bloom councillors awards. Last year Islington won Borough of the we send advisers to Council groups dealing with Year 2015, Islington Gardeners won Gold and development, the environment and transport Category winner in Small City Category and we are represented on the London Forum of Arlington Square won Best Small Park. Civic & Amenity Societies, which takes up cross-borough issues and is a member of Civic Annual Dinner Voice This year’s Annual Dinner for members and we publish a regular newsletter guests will be at Côte Brasserie, 4-6 Islington The copy date for our next newsletter is June 6th, Green, London N1 2XA 2016. The views expressed in the newsletter are Tuesday 18th October 2016 at 7.0 for 7.30 pm. not necessarily those of the chair, the editor, or the Society's adopted policy. There will be a Set Menu of 3 courses for £25 per Our web site is www.islingtonsociety.org.uk person; drinks for personal account. A booking form has been sent to all members who have

Society publications [available from the Society at 3P, Leroy House, 436, Essex Rd., London, N.1 or local bookshops] Twentieth Century Buildings in Islington, by Alec Forshaw, £14.99, photographs by Richard Leeney, ISBN 0-9541490-0-9 The Story of Day Flats in and around Islington, by Andrew Bosi, photographs from C.F. Day Limited and Oliver Craxton, £5, ISBN 0-9541490-1-7 An architect in Islington, by Harley Sherlock, £14.99, ISBN 9-78-0-9541490-2-4 Books from our President and Vice-President Suicide of the West, by Richard Koch & Chris Smith, £14.99 and available on Amazon, ISBN 0-8264 9023-9. A History of Islington, by Mary Cosh, published by Historical Publications at £18.95, ISBN 0-948667-974 53 Cross Street - the biography of an historic house by Mary Cosh & Martin King, photographs by Pauline Lord, published by the Islington Archaeology & History Society

3 Islington news Autumn 2016 Society ends fifty-five year convention The Society has hitherto studiously avoided Islington Libraries, Local History Centre and entering into politics to the extent of advocating Museum. on behalf of one candidate over another. People can also vote online via this link: Current councillors have not been invited to join https://survs.com/survey/dxwot69kw3 . the Committee. All this has changed following an The Council has issued the following press uncontested decision of the Committee this year. statement. “Voting has begun for 2016/17’s It has been agreed that we should lobby for the favourite person, place or event to receive an election of Harley Sherlock. Each year there is a Islington People's Plaque. plebiscite to determine the recipients of three “Last time over 6,300 people voted for "People's plaques" and this year one of the their favourite nomination, and we’d love to do nominations, made by the Islington Society and better than that this year. the Canonbury Society, is for Harley Sherlock. “People can pick up a voting card in any Voting for the Islington People’s Plaques Islington library and Islington Museum or you started on Thursday 22nd Sept. The voting cards can vote online through the Islington Life website have been available for the public to fill in at the “Voting closes on Wednesday 30th November at midnight.”

School Developments

Although the new government is pressing for a As yet, there is no shortage of secondary return of grammar schools (and presumably school places, so the scheme for a Free School on secondary modern schools), current developments the old Ladbroke site of North London University reflect the previous political climate. has not received any rapturous reception from the headteachers of Highbury Grove and Highbury A shortage of primary places in the north Fields schools. The Archdiocese of Westminster of the Borough is to be addressed by a £14m. plans to close Mount Carmel School and replace development of school, which will it with a non-denominational co-educational double the size of the school from one and a half Academy. The girls currently in years 7-10 could form entry to three. Those half forms are transfer to the new school, or seek a place at a notoriously difficult to organise and so there will Girls’ school elsewhere. The plan is subject to be some efficiency saving to the school, as well as consultation. meeting the rise in demand.

CURRENT OFFICERS President : Lord Smith of [email protected] Vice President: Mary Cosh Membership manager: Peter Kilborn 18, Bewdley Chairman: David Gibson, 3P Leroy House, 436, Street, London, N.1 tel: 020 7-609 8822; e-mail Essex Road, London, N.1 020 7-226 2207; [email protected] [email protected] Newsletter: Andrew Bosi, The Croft, Wall Street, Secretary: David Trillo 45, Ellington Street, London, N.1 0OO 020 7-354 8514; e-mail: London, N.7 020 7-607 9325; e-mail [email protected] [email protected] Events Secretary: Andrew Clayton Treasurer: Robert Coyle, Wells House, Upper [email protected] Street, London, N.1 2UQ tel.7-354 3663; e-mail

4 Islington news Autumn 2016

Society responds to Council consultations Urban Design Guide Guidance” in Appendix B, References. We 1 We met, with others, with you earlier recommend adding a new paragraph 3.0.2 last year prior to the issue of the SPD for wider setting out the significance and importance of consultation. We are pleased that we were able the Conservation Area Design Guides. to assist in formulating the guidance at an early 5 There is no reference to the damaging stage and are gratified to note that most of the effect that can be caused by the thoughtless comments we made then have been application of Permitted Development Rights incorporated into the final draft. Thank you and in particular to the Council’s efforts to for that. control the proliferation of inappropriate 2 As such, we believe that the SPD is as a permitted developments through Article 4 well-formulated guidance document and we do Directions. We recommend adding a new not wish to comment on a paragraph in Section 1.3 drawing attention to paragraph-by-paragraph basis except to object to Article 4 Directions. the detailed design guidance for dormer 6 Although there are references in the windows. body of the text to the National Planning Policy 3 We have received a number of Framework (NPPF) it is not included in representations that the guidance is in places Appendix B, References. We recommend too prescriptive. That is not our view. While including the NPPF in Appendix B. we may quibble with some of the statements and choice of illustrations, we note and agree Application of section 106 agreements with your comments, particularly in paragraph We wholeheartedly support the Council’s 1.2.2, reflecting that the SPD is guidance and continued use of Section 106 obligations for may not be appropriate in some individual site-specific infrastructure mitigation in addition cases. We would like to see in para 1.2.2 or to the application of CIL obligations to achieve elsewhere the commonly recognised phrase sustainable development. “judged on its merits” to emphasise the point. Other than that, we find ourselves unable to 4 We think that there should be a stronger comment in detail on the technical policy and link between this document and the implementation arguments in the SPD. We Conservation Area Design Guidelines (and have every confidence in the Planning forthcoming Conservation Area Obligations Team in this regard. Assessments). This should be stronger than the mere inclusion of “Conservation Area

King's Cross scheme gets the thumbs up Transport for London say that their in principle congestion elsewhere on the routes. proposals to make King's Cross safer for Hitherto, congested bus routes have pedestrians have received public support. benefited from additional buses so that the Most people will support in principle waiting time to board the bus is not reduced. measures to improve pedestrian safety. With the reduction in bus subsidy this is However, these proposals involve removal of the unlikely to be an option in future. If the buses contra-flow bus lane on Pentonville Road, with take longer to run end to end and back, the consequent delays to buses. Many bus users are frequency diminishes, fewer people choose the not resident or working in King's Cross and are bus and the level of subsidy rises per passenger. unlikely to have responded to the consultation. Bus priority measures, of which contraflow bus Some will already have migrated to the lanes are the most effective, are a means of Northern line on account of the increase in countering this vicious circle of decline. journey time caused by roadworks and

5 Islington news Autumn 2016

Reviewing Islington’s locally listed buildings The Building Exploratory, working with more than 750 volunteers and engaging more Islington Council, Historic England and than 50 communities in documenting and ourselves, is promoting voluntary support sharing their heritage. Our Eyes on Islington is literally to keep an eye on our locally listed being managed by the Building Exploratory in buildings. partnership with Islington Council and Historic Launched in 1996, the Building England. The project builds upon previous Exploratory is a learning and engagement work carried out by the Building Exploratory organisation that helps communities to discover including Places of Worship 2009, which the secrets of their local area. It works across surveyed listed places of worship in Hackney London with schools, families, residents, older and Tower Hamlets; and Panorama East 2012 people, local authorities and businesses to which looked at buildings in Whitechapel, Mile engage them in researching and celebrating End and Bow, both highly successful projects their built environment, its heritage, people, involving teams of local committed volunteers. buildings and public spaces. The Building A Volunteer Handbook has now been Exploratory aims to improve access to published to facilitate volunteers in their work. information and give those who may not have a Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact voice, opportunities to share their views about [email protected]. One of the the neighbourhoods where they live and work. locally listed buildings thought to be at risk, in To date the Building Exploratory has delivered Parkhurst Road, is pictured below. projects in twenty London boroughs, training

6 Islington news Autumn 2016 Islington out of step with the country – continued After the referendum on electoral reform and directly concerns them than the global economy the General Election result, Islington has done or the National interest. it again with an overwhelming vote for the Person A takes a job no-one here wants, losing side in the referendum on continued lives in straitened circumstances for six months, membership of the EU. and takes the proceeds home to his hard We certainly live in interesting times. pressed family. Person B settles here, takes After decades of the establishment always another job no indiginous person wants, stays having its way, with ever fewer people bothering and spends their money in the UK. Person C to vote, young people are interesting themselves takes a local job in a call centre, one of in politics again and a significant number of hundreds exported from the UK. Who voters are rebelling against perceived wisdom. appears in the net migration figures and who Ever simplistic, the press has portrayed contributes most to the UK economy? the Brexit vote as a vote against immigration or I still cannot decide whether “Project net migration. There were so many reasons to Fear” refers to the over–the-top claims of the vote Leave (or Remain) that the whole concept Remain camp or those of the prominent of referenda can be challenged. Can an issue Leavers. But I do not believe most Leave voters like this be resolved by a simple majority vote thought there would be £350m. for the NHS, or on one of two alternatives? But the electoral that most Remain voters were convinced there system we have is based on voting for one of was no economic future outside the EU. The two alternative parties, and it leads to Prime Minster chose to have the referendum, unsatisfactory results in seats where there are and assured us he would campaign to leave if he more than two contenders. Islington was one could not secure appropriate terms of of five places to see that. On the other hand, a membership. referendum before we entered the EEC, or For all that Islington appears out of step before we signed the Maastricht treaty, would with the rest of the country, if the government have offered a clear cut choice between two makes a hash of the Brexit negotiations there is alternatives. every chance that for the first time, an Islington A friend recently commented that it was Member of Parliament will occupy number 10. a pity Andrew Strauss had not gone into politics But the chance will not come in 2017. A because then he would only be ruining the prime Minster who thinks it arrogant to call a country, instead of undermining county cricket. plebiscite you “know you cannot lose” is hardly There is a hidden truth in this tongue in cheek likely to call an unnecessary election she knows remark. People are more concerned with what she is certain to win. AB

Kate Pugh to retire Kate Pugh O.B.E. is to retire as Chief Executive of the Heritage Alliance, a position she has held since 2003. The Alliance issues a fortnightly bulletin of heritage news and organises an annual Heritage Day in London, usually in the first week of December.

7 Islington news Autumn 2016

Transport News Round-up Decline in bus use could lead to cuts middle. Some of the stops are as much as 15 Despite the continuing growth in population, and minutes’ walk from the stations they seek to in use of public transport within London, there replace. The services are less frequent. All of has been a worrying decline in the use of buses in which is likely to discourage use, which may lead central London. to reductions in frequency and further reductions This is almost certainly the result of in use. congestion. The benefits of the congestion zone There is no change to the plan to wait have been eroded by construction work, some of it twelve months after electrification is completed transport related e.g. Cycle superhighways and before introducing electric trains. CrossRail. Some journey times which used to be 277 rerouted at its eastern end comparable to tube travel are now closer to the The 277 now goes to Crossharbour rather time taken to walk, not just for short journeys than Leamouth. The valuable links from St. suitable for walking but those taking over an hour. Paul's Road to St. Joseph's hospice, a Lidl The obsession with removing buses from supermarket, Mile End and Canary Wharf, are Oxford Street thus has a new impetus. The new not affected by this change. Bus blinds and hopper fare removes the cost of changing buses, Countdown have been changed to show though not the inconvenience. Consequently, “Highbury Corner” rather than “Highbury & plans to change the 13 route which runs through Islington”, at the instigation of TfL. The 263, Camden have re-emerged, and may be followed by which actually terminates and starts in Highbury plans to cut the 73 back to Oxford Circus. The Corner, continues to display the name of the problem on Oxford Street is buses terminating station. Maybe there is still scope for savings that there (they are always empty and the beginning do not affect front line service. and end of the route), not the through routes. Night tube The Mayor has to find savings and The 24 hour weekend service on the Victoria and unsurprisingly this has meant the end of guards Central lines commenced on August 19th. Most and open platforms on the 38 (and the few other people have welcomed it, though there are issues routes that had them). Guards never achieved about noise where the trains run out of tunnel - the popularity of bus conductors because their not an issue in Islington. There has never been a only function was to stop people doing what they proper debate about intensification of use of roads wanted: to hop on and off. or rails. Because there is no Land Value Tax, No Barking/Gospel Oak trains until there is no system of compensation for this, just as February 2017 there is no way of capturing windfall benefit when The line through and infrastructure changes add massively to house Crouch Hill is now completely closed until prices. February as work continues to electrify the line. Drive to improve air quality Regular users are promised a refund of any The new mayor is taking a more proactive additional costs incurred as a result of being approach to air quality than his predecessor, and rerouted via zone 1. They will not be Islington is joining in. Later this month they are compensated for the added journey time. launching a campaign to discourage idling by car Occasional users will be expected to pay more, engines when stationary. Before that training is either in fares or through even greater journey being offered to volunteers who are willing to times as the rail replacement bus wends its way encourage better behaviour. between stations poorly connected by road. Another runway at Heathrow, though, There are two rail replacement bus routes, would have more adverse impact on Islington than covering Gospel Oak to South Tottenham and any amount of unnecessary idling. AB Walthamstow to Barking. Passengers are expected to use the Victoria line for the bit in the

8 Islington news Autumn 2016 W.C.2 Society Events Current officers are listed on page 3, and What We Do is on London Forum of Civic & Amenity Societies page 2 020 7993 5754 Future Society events Tuesday 25th October. AGM London Forum The Society gives reminders by e-mail of meetings about a week before they are held. Please let the Secretary have th your e-mail address if you are not on the existing mailing Wednesday 30 November. Open meeting about list. changes to planning policies. Monday January 30th, 2017 Annual Dinner : This year’s Dinner will be at Wednesday March 29th, 2017 Cote Brasserie, 4-6 on Tuesday,

18th October at 7.0 p.m.. Meetings at 77, Cowcross Street, London EC1M There will be a selection of 3 courses from the 6EJ at 6.30 p.m. Set Menu to be pre-ordered at £25 a person. Wine for personal account. Please send payment (cheques made out to Islington Museum & Local History Centre Islington Society) to the Treasurer, Robert Coyle, 245, St. John Street. tel. 7-527 2837 th Colman Coyle, Wells House, 80 Upper Street, N1 Wednesday 12 October, Talk 12 midday - 1.0 0NU. A Booking Invitation is included in this p.m. “Getting the Most from the Society of Newsletter. Genealogists”. “Inter Faith Week” from Remembrance Sunday AGM 13th November until 20th November. The 2016 AGM will be at Islington Town Hall on Wednesday 9th November at 7.30 p.m. Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, 39a The Agenda and supporting papers for the AGM Canonbury Square will be sent to members next month. Normal Opening hours Wed. to Sat. 11 a.m.- 6 Speaker after the AGM - Cllr. Richard Watts, p.m., Sunday 12 noon - 5 p.m. Leader of Islington Council Closed for major renovation until December 2016. .

Other Events in or around Islington: , Archaeology & History Society (7.30 p.m. Almeida Street, N.1 tel: 0207 359 4404 Islington Town Hall) Monday-Saturday 7.30 p.m., Saturday matinée Non-IA&HS members welcome, donation invited. 2.30 p.m. Further information in the web site. World Premiere of new play “Oil” by Ella Wednesday 19th October. “Six Hundred Years of Hickson, directed by Carrie Cracknell. the Old Red Lion”. 7th October – 26th November 2016. Speaker Damien Devine, Executive Director Old Monday-Saturday 7.30 p.m. Saturday matinee 2.30 Red Lion Theatre. p.m

King's Head Theatre Sadlers Wells Theatre The Book Club by Roger Hall (Tuesday 11th Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.1 October to Saturday 5th November) www. sadlerswells.com/whats-on/list 5 Guys Chillin’ (Saturday October 15th- Saturday

November 5th) Islington University of the Third Age (U3A) Pinocchio (Thursday December 1st- Saturday Islington U3A has about 500 members with at January 7th, 2017) present 48 special interest groups, mostly meeting

in members’ homes. Monthly meetings at 10.30 Heritage Alliance am, The Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road: The annual Heritage Day takes place on Thursday details and membership www.IslingtonU3A.org December 1st at the Freemasons Hall, London,