Local residents are expected to gather at 79 Creighton Avenue (N10) at 10.30am on Monday 16th January to protest against controversial building plans.

One application to demolish the existing building, Strathlene House, and replace it with a five-storey care home, has already been dismissed. However, a new application, on a smaller scale, has been recommended for approval by the Council’s planning officers. The final decision is set to be made by the Planning Applications Sub-Committee on January 23rd.

Local residents, councillors and MP Lynne Featherstone have all objected to the current application on a number of grounds: overdevelopment; being out of character with the surrounding area; impact on Fortismere School; public transport links; parking; overlooking and loss of amenity for residents on Creighton Avenue and Ringwood Avenue; impact on Coldfall Wood.

Local ward councillor Matt Davies (Lib Dem, Fortis Green), who will be joining residents on Monday 16th for the protest, comments:

“The impact of this proposed building on neighbouring properties and Coldfall Wood would be very great. We would be much happier if the existing building was preserved and renovated – or if this is not possible for the developers’ purposes, then any replacement should be no bigger than the building which already exists.”

Local ward councillor Stephen Gilbert (Lib Dem, Fortis Green), who will be speaking at the meeting on Monday 23rd, comments:

“The scale of this development is simply not acceptable in this area. A care home could be a useful community facility, but this should not mean local residents’ wishes are disregarded. I am hopeful that the Planning Committee will listen to the residents’ objections and send this application back to the drawing board.”