The relaxation of national planning guidelines has created a ‘gold rush mentality’ among developers in the Couch End and Hornsey area, local Lib Dem councillors have warned.

The Lib Dems say that controversial planning applications in Crouch End are becoming a more regular feature at monthly council planning committee meetings, and are often pushed through against the wishes of local residents.

Cllr David Winskill, as far back as August 1999, asked Haringey to produce an overall development plan for the area so that large unwelcome planning applications could be dealt within a framework that would give much more weight to the views of local residents and the needs of the community. Cllr Winskill has written again to the Labour council to see if resources can be found to produce a local plan for the area.

The Lib Dems have voiced their concerns about three controversial planning issues currently under consideration. The party says that Crouch End is suffering from unimaginative over-development, and has highlighted three proposed schemes:

Oakfield Court – Haslemere Road

This Tuesday’s Planning Committee is likely to turn down an application for extra units. Local residents have produced some compelling planning reasons for not allowing visually intrusive additions to an existing block but are concerned that the developers will appeal or submit a modified application.

Local Lib Dem councillor Ron Aitken comments:

“We hope that the developers will get the message and not appeal against the decision or make any further applications”

British Telecom development – Crouch End Hill

Following the collapse of the council’s CPZ proposals for Crouch End, the Lib Dems are urging Barclay Homes to drop any plans for restaurant and bar use on the site. Instead they are supporting Barclay’s application for six flats in the restaurant space.

Local councillor David Winskill comments:

“The traffic implications for local residents would be truly horrendous if the restaurant were to be developed. We are also asking Haringey and the developers to carefully review traffic implications if the fitness centre and supermarket plans are taken further. We hope that this time Haringey will directly engage with the local community from the very beginning if there is a new application.”

Texaco Service Station – Tottenham Lane

The Lib Dems believe the controversial application should be turned down.

Cllr David Winskill comments:

“Crouch End has become a honey pot for developers over the years. This development has demonstrated just how greedy they have become and are prepared to totally disregard the views of local residents and steal sunlight from primary school children. I believe Haringey, despite the officer’s report, has grounds for turning this application down and pushing for a much smaller scale project on this important landmark site.”

Commenting on the planning laws generally, he went on:

“Overall, planning laws have drifted far too much towards developers. In Crouch End this has created a gold rush mentality which has had a very serious affect on the community. All too often the council tries to push unwelcome development through. The area needs a local plan. I will be writing to the Labour lead member to see if resources can be found to produce one.”