green+spaces+-+bits+and+pieces+-+Coleridge+objection+15.12.07

=**Uproar over school threat to annexe public open space**=

Haslemere Road Residents Association in Crouch End is campaigning to protect a local public open space under threat. Coleridge School have applied to annexe the much loved and well used little park next to the main road on Crouch End Hill. Local residents recently secured public funding to improve the open space and planted hundreds of bulbs there only last month! As Sue Hessel, the chair of the association, says: //'I am alerting all Residents' Associations because if agreed this could begin a very alarming planning precedent. ie Highgate Wood secondary school could claim that the adjacent allotments should become part of their school grounds, or St. Mary's Junior school could say that the public green space in front might be better used by the school etc etc. Indeed any public building in the borough with some adjacent public green space could claim a special case!'//

The Secretary of the Haringey Federation of Residents Associations sent a protest letter on December 15th, stating that //'t////he highly controversial application by the school to annexe public green space for itself flies in the face of all policy considerations and promises made by Haringey Council during the consultation in 2002-2005 over the borough's planning policies, ie the Haringey Unitary Development Plan. Policies proposed in 2002 by the Council and planning officers that could have allowed such institutional theft of public open space were publicly scrapped after a massive campaign by residents, Friends of Parks groups and residents associations throughout the borough. I can only think that this application is a mistake by the school. I would therefore expect it to be withdrawn immediately and a public apology offered.'//

The Haringey Federation of Residents Associations have sent the following protest letter:

To: Stuart Cooke, LBH Planning Officer cc: Cllrs George Meehan (Leader), Lorna Reith (Community Engagement) and Brian Haley (Environment); Haringey's Residents Associations; Haringey's Friends of Parks groups

RE: HGY/2007/2358

15.12.2007

At our last meeting we learned of an outrageous, anti-social proposal that Coleridge School have made to takeover the public garden, green space and common land on Crouch End Hill and fence it off from the public right up to the pavement. This is the land that the local Haslemere Road Residents' Association recently worked on so hard as part of the council's 'Make a Difference' projects. Haringey Council funded over £2000 for it to be improved it as a public open space. Haringey Parks department spent days pruning and restoring it and making it more open and safe. They have planted dozens of shrubs - carefully chosen in collaboration with the residents and local expert gardeners, and on 24th November 2007 residents planted hundreds of bulbs in it.

The highly controversial application by the school to annexe public green space for itself flies in the face of all policy considerations and promises made by Haringey Council during the consultation in 2002-2005 over the borough's planning policies, ie the Haringey Unitary Development Plan. Policies proposed in 2002 by the Council and planning officers that could have allowed such institutional theft of public open space were publicly scrapped after a massive campaign by residents, Friends of Parks groups and residents associations throughout the borough.

I can only think that this application is a mistake by the school. I would therefore expect it to be withdrawn immediately and a public apology offered.

Residents are fortunate that many public buildings have green spaces in front, which we can all enjoy. They help to make living in London bearable and attractive. They provide refreshment alongside our polluted roads. Common land is particularly important for people who do not have their own garden, as they can sit or walk here. Residents groups can and often do improve them - as is the case with the land in this particular application.

This public space is important for all - young and old. Many many people do not have a garden and these public spaces are more important than ever. The nearest parks are over half a mile away - too far particularly for many elderly or disabled residents. The whole idea of sprucing up this pleasant woodland garden was to provide a lovely area to be enjoyed by the whole community as they walk through to the shops. When children are young it is particularly important that they have a safe route through trees away from the pollution of the main road.

This proposal will make it less safe for the 480 children and the families collecting them from this side. By fencing off the public garden, the 480 school pupils will spill out of this part of Coleridge School straight on to the pavement alongside a road full of heavy traffic. (There will be another 420 infant school pupils on the other side of this main road.)

We are particularly concerned that the period for responses to this application coincide with the Christmas holidays (with a decision apparently scheduled for 8th January) when most organisations and residents generally people may be otherwise engaged. We are glad that the Hornsey Conservation Area Advisory Committee and the adjacent Haslemere Road Residents Association have already lodged objections, and are guided by the information and views they have provided to the Federation. All credit to them for standing up for the interests of their local communities.

Dave Morris Secretary, Haringey Federation of Residents Associations