Highgate councillors have forced the Labour council to consult more widely on plans for a controversial mast on top of a block of flats in the famous Hillcrest estate. In response to a written question from Lib Dem councillor Melanie Simpson, the Labour council has backed down and agreed to consult all the blocks, instead of just the one block facing the possibility of a mast.

The Lib Dems describe as ‘absurd’ the decision by the council to consult only the residents of Mountbatten House in the Hillcrest estate. Despite there being seven closely adjacent blocks of flats, residents of all the other building were initially ignored by the council.

Cllr Melanie Simpson comments: “At least the council has now agreed that residents will have a chance to have their say. The council’s previous decision to ignore many residents was absurd and I am glad the council has changed tack.

“Hillcrest is a famous development, and is in a conservation area. I am concerned that the tops of several of the blocks are already very cluttered, and the possibility of a building at ground level really concerns me. There is a long way to go on this one.”