The appeal against the refusal of planning permission to build houses on the land at the rear of 2-16 Lauradale Road was heard on 14th September at the Royal British Legion in Muswell Hill. Local Lib Dems have welcomed the strong turnout from concerned residents.

More than 40 residents turned up to oppose the developer’s appeal, along with the Headmistress of Tetherdown School and local Lib Dem ward councillor for Fortis Green, Matt Davies. The appeal was heard by an independent Planning Inspector, Paul Jackson. Haringey Council formally opposed the appeal and a number of residents spoke against the proposals.

“I was delighted at the strong turnout,” says Cllr Matt Davies. “The Planning Inspector will have been left in no doubt as to the depth of local feeling and residents spoke very well to reinforce the objections outstanding since the beginning of the planning application process.

Cllr Davies also spoke against the proposals at the appeal hearing. He said:

“The strength of opposition to this proposed development is the largest I have known since I was elected to represent the area. This is indicative of the importance the wider community attaches to the footpath which would be lost to the public if this development were allowed.

“Parking, environment, wildlife, visual amenity, overlooking, employment, local character, walking to school, the adjacent conservation area – there are many strong reasons for refusing the appeal. But the strongest of all is the issue of the footpath. This path has been used by schoolchildren and families for years and without safe access along it, this valuable route will be lost. That is not conducive to the aim of encouraging a healthy lifestyle and getting children to walk to school but would lead to an increase in traffic on our already overburdened roads.”

The Planning Inspector’s judgement on the appeal is expected during October.