Highgate’s Lib Dem councillors and the area’s new MP are urging Tubelines to think again about its controversial design for the new Northern Line Control Centre on the fringes of Highgate Woods.

The Lib Dems say that despite months of discussions, the company has not listened to concerns over the design of the building and its impact on the sensitive woodlands nearby.The Lib Dems want the plans reconsidered and are pressing Tubelines again to take action.

After months of discussions, Lib Dems say that Tubelines, which is not obliged to submit the plans to the usual planning process, has hardly moved at all to meet the concerns of those who fear the buildings impact on the woods. While some steps have been agreed to protect residents’ views, almost no changes to the proposed construction have been made to protect the views from Highgate Wood.

In fact, without consultation with anyone representing the users of the woods, the building has been moved four metres closer to the woods, necessitating additional tree felling at the edge of the woods on land owned by Tubelines.

Highgate Lib Dem councillor and environment spokesperson Bob Hare, together with representatives of the Corporation of London (responsible for the woods) and the Highgate Society, have been asking consistently for changes to the buildings design to reduce the visual and ecological impact. These include a flat brown roof which would help local wildlife, wood cladding of the concrete structure, the ability to support ivy on the walls, banking of earth on parts of the walls and sinking or partially burying the whole building.

He says these changes would benefit residents as well as reduce the large visual impact.

Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone has also visited the site and agrees that action is needed to reduce its impact. The Corporation of London, which is responsible for the woods, also shares concerns and has written to Tubelines.

Cllr Bob Hare comments:

“These improvements, and many more, should have been designed in from the beginning. Instead, from our first meeting, we have found ourselves discussing a warehouse-like structure that has not changed in response to our concerns. Now, even as building work starts, there are still no commitments from Tubelines to incorporate any changes.

“Not only is the building large, but it is close to the boundary fence of the woods. Tubelines’ own mock-ups show it will be seen both through the fence slats and over the top of them. The proposed building will be sited beside one of the more secluded parts of the wood, where, until now, there have been no surrounding buildings. It’s unacceptable.”

Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone adds:

“Highgate Woods is a vital part of the local environment and it is time Tubelines responded to public concerns about this building. We need to minimise the impact on the woods. Tubelines must listen and make changes to the design.”