Lynne Featherstone MP to hold Public Meeting on Hornsey High Street future

Posted on 29th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP will hold a public meeting to give local residents and stakeholders the chance to discuss the proposed development on the old Depot site on Hornsey High Street.

The site has been derelict since 1998 – as Labour-run Haringey Council continually failed to strike a deal with a developer. Now, an application has gone in, which seeks to demolish the existing structures to make way for a Sainsburys supermarket, a car park, over 400 flats and a gym.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green and the local Liberal Democrats have criticised the Council for not providing residents with enough information about the application.

The local MP is therefore inviting community figures and local people with expertise to attend her event, so that they can provide information and opinions for local residents. Representatives from developer St James and Sainsburys will also attend to answer any further questions.

The public meeting will be held on Friday the 15^th November, 6:30pm, at Griegs City Academy (entrance via Hillfield Avenue.)

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I would very much like to see something happen to the derelict depot land – but any development must be beneficial to the local area, and full details of the plans must be made available to local people.

“That’s why I am holding this meeting, and inviting local residents associations, business owners, representatives from the developers and the Council, and of course the general public.

“I think it’s about time we sat down, listened to local business owners and community groups, and had a proper debate about the future of our high street and the potential impact of this development.

“I look forward to seeing local residents at the meeting.”

Protecting our parks!

Posted on 24th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Haringey has a total of 19 Green Flag awards for its parks – Priory Park and Russell Park included.

Under the criteria, Green Flag parks are judged to be welcoming, safe and well managed, with active community involvement. It also means that they should be some of the best parks in the country.

But – I continue to hear reports of excess rubbish, broken glass, dog mess and damaged or missing equipment in the children’s play areas in these parks. This is not my idea of a welcoming or well managed environment!

I have been pressing Labour-run Haringey Council for repairs and maintenance to Russell Park for quite some time, and will continue to do so. Here’s a video taken from my recent visit there:

Over the summer, the children’s playground at Priory Park has also fallen into disrepair and many parents now consider it to be dangerous. The climbing frame, zip wire, sandpit and sandpit equipment are all broken, and it hasn’t been repaired or cordoned off to prevent children trying to play. Residents don’t think its good enough – and neither do I.

Haringey Council are clearly not doing a very good job of maintaining standards. Once again I have written to them, highlighting this and calling on them to take immediate action to repair the equipment and cordon it off in the meantime to protect children using the park.

They have replied tell me that work does need to be done, especially on the sandpit which ‘is past its expected life span’ – but they still suggest that all park equipment is ‘safe to use’. Local people disagree – and I will carry on campaigning for change!

Lynne Featherstone MP joins apprentices at Hornsey Rail Depot!

Posted on 18th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP today went to Hornsey Rail Depot, to meet apprentices who are working on the site.

Volker Fitzpatrick is the company contracted to build two new train maintenance depots, as part of the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project. They currently have 5 apprentices (3 railway engineering and 2 business administration) and are looking for more.

The Liberal Democrat MP met two of the engineering apprentices, before putting on safety gear and taking a tour of the site – and seeing their work first hand.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green was shown the building site, including the train wash and the under-construction maintenance depot. The local MP then discussed the local resident reaction to the works with the development managers.

Since the Liberal Democrats entered Government in 2010, over 1.2 million apprenticeships have been created. Lynne Featherstone MP held an event in August, matching up Haringey’s young people looking for apprenticeships with potential employers.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“Apprenticeships are fantastic opportunities, giving young people a chance to learn a trade whilst earning money and gaining qualifications.

“That’s why I held the event in Wood Green for young people to find out more about apprenticeships, and why I was so keen to go to Hornsey Rail Depot to see apprentices in action.

“Volker Fitzpatrick is clearly working very hard to build the new depots and facilities, and it’s great that they’re taking on apprenticeships to help. I’d like to thank them for taking the time to show me around!

“If any local resident has any questions or thoughts about the work being done on this site, please let me know.”

Unemployment in Hornsey and Wood Green falls again!

Posted on 16th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has today welcomed news that unemployment in her constituency has fallen again.

In Hornsey and Wood Green, unemployment is currently at a low of 4%, meaning there are now 869 less people claiming Job Seekers Allowance than when Labour left the Government in 2010.

Youth unemployment in the constituency has also plummeted – down from 7.8% in May 2010 to 4.7% now.

This comes alongside news that, nationally, the number of people in work reached a record high of 29.87 million in the quarter, up 155,000.

Creating jobs is a Liberal Democrat priority. Since 2010, the Liberal Democrats in Government have helped businesses create over 1 million private sector jobs, and have helped create 1.2 million apprenticeships. There are now more apprentices than ever before and 86% more than under Labour.

Locally, Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone has helped create new apprenticeships, by organising an event for local young people to meet companies offering apprenticeships.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Work is so important to individuals and families. It pays the bills, gives us purpose and fulfilment, and provides security for our long term futures.

“This fall in the number of people claiming JSA is a welcome sign – particularly in Hornsey and Wood Green! This drop, combined with the rise in the total number of people in employment, shows that our economy is recovering and people are returning to work.

“In Government and locally the Lib Dems will keep working hard to reduce unemployment, which in turn will help build a stronger economy and create a fairer society – enabling everyone to get on in life.”

MP urges residents to have their say on Hornsey High Street future

Posted on 15th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone and local Liberal Democrat Councillors have encouraged residents to take part in their Hornsey Depot survey, following a planning application for the site by developers St James.’

The old Depot on Hornsey High Street has been unoccupied and derelict since 1998 – as Haringey Council continually failed to strike a deal with a developer.

The developers plan to demolish the existing structures to make way for a supermarket, car park, over 400 flats and a gym.

Before the application was submitted, the local Liberal Democrats made representations to the developers and secured amendments to their proposals. For instance, they reduced the height of a 10-storey block of flats in response to Liberal Democrat, local residents’ and traders’ concerns.

Concerns have also been expressed regarding the impact upon local traffic and the quality of the plans themselves.

Residents have until October 20^th 2013 to respond.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I believe that as many local residents as possible should get to have their say on the future of Hornsey Depot, and they can do so via our survey. We will present the survey results to the Council as part of our official response to the planning application.

“I’m happy that after all these years, an application has finally been made. But, we must ensure that what they propose is right for Hornsey. For instance, it is vital that this development is community focussed and that the housing is good quality. We do not want any negative impact on our local area.

“So, if you have any concerns about the development, the developer, or the general impact on Hornsey, now is the time to get your voice heard!”

Hornsey Depot – Have your say

Posted on 14th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

The depot site on Hornsey High Street (N8 7QB) has been unoccupied and derelict since 1998 – as the Labour Council continually failed to strike a deal with a developer.

A planning application has now finally been submitted for the site – and there’s still time to make your views heard.

In the application, the developers say they will demolish the existing structures to make way for a supermarket, car park, over 400 flats and a gym.

Before the application was submitted, the local Lib Dems made representations to the developers and secured amendments to their proposals. Most notably, they reduced the height of a 10-storey block of flats in response to Lib Dem and local resident & trader concerns.

However, local councillors have also expressed concerns regarding the impact upon local traffic and the quality of the plans themselves.

The local Lib Dems are keen to find out your views and concerns on the development on Hornsey Depot, so please do fill in our survey. We will present the survey results as part of our official response to the planning application.

If you’d rather respond directly – you can do so on the Council’s website, using application number is HGY/2013/2019.

Creating Apprenticeships in Haringey!

Posted on 23rd Sep 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Here’s my latest Muswell Flyer article (originally written in August) on Apprenticeships in Haringey. Since the event – companies have been in touch to let me know that they have now taken on young people they met at the event!

I was so happy when I got my first job with a small design and advertising company in the West End – and my first pay packet. I remember feeling so grown up as I caught the tube to work along with the rest of the world. That sense of somewhere to be and something to do has always been incredibly important to me – as it is to everyone.

And that sums up why we work. It pays the bills, gives us purpose and fulfilment, and provides security for our long term futures.

That’s why it’s particularly important for young people leaving schools or universities to have options available to them. We have so many talented and ambitious young adults here in Haringey, and should be doing all we can to give them the best chance to succeed – which will benefit our economy too.

But – it’s not long since youth unemployment was rising fast under Labour, leaving so many young people without the opportunity to get on in life.

That’s why creating more jobs – particularly for young people – during these tough economic times is top of the Lib Dem’s list of priorities.

Our focus on this is working. Here in Hornsey and Wood Green, youth unemployment has fallen by a third – and 530 new apprenticeships have been created since 2010 too.

But we want to go even further. That’s why I decided to put words into action, and hosted an apprenticeship event at Haringey Civic Centre, in tandem with Wood Green Jobcentre plus. The aim was to match up employers looking for apprentices with young people looking for apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships are a great way to kick start a career. They take between one and four years to complete and combine practical training in a job with study. That means you get paid to study and learn a trade, whilst also being able to make contacts in an industry.

It was a really fantastic afternoon. The event was attended by 18 organisations – including Barclays, Tottenham Hotspurs and the National Apprenticeship Company – and packed with over 130 of Haringey’s young people, who were keen to find out more about the hundreds of apprenticeship opportunities on offer.

Gordon Birtwistle MP – the Government Apprenticeship Ambassador – was also present to discuss the value of apprenticeships and to meet the young people and companies.

I will be keeping in touch with the people and organisations who attended so we can track how many apprenticeships have been created as a result. I’ll also certainly be hosting more of these events in the future.

In the meantime, if you or someone you know wants any further information about apprenticeships, just email me on lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org and ask!

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes further fall in unemployment

Posted on 19th Sep 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has today welcomed news that unemployment in her constituency has fallen again.

In Hornsey and Wood Green, there are now 800 less people claiming Job Seekers Allowance than when the Liberal Democrats entered Government in 2010.

Youth unemployment in the constituency has also plummeted – down from 7.8% in May 2010 to 4.8% now.

Locally, Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone has helped create new apprenticeships, by organising an event for local young people to meet companies offering apprenticeships.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Work is so important to individuals and families. It pays the bills, gives us purpose and fulfilment, and provides security for our long term futures.

“That’s why I’m so pleased to see unemployment falling – particularly in Hornsey and Wood Green! For two years now, unemployment has fallen month after month here, including a massive drop in youth unemployment.

Local independents on national TV!

Posted on 16th Sep 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Last night, at 7.55 pm, Channel 4 aired a short video of me visiting some of Hornsey and Wood Green’s finest independent shops, and talking about the local Lib Dem campaign for 30 minutes free parking.

The shops are Big Green Bookshop of Wood Green, Crocodile Antiques of Muswell Hill, and Dunn’s of Crouch End.

You can watch the video here:

New River Village's shocking secret….

Posted on 11th Sep 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

A few days ago I issued a press release exposing the awful living conditions of some residents in the Colorado Apartments at New River Village. In response, the local Lib Dems and I have started a petition, calling on Circle 33 (the company who manage the block) to step up and take action.

I have now also released this video, taken from my visit, so you can really see the problems for yourself.

As you can see, in contrast to the pristine private apartment blocks, these social housing blocks are in disrepair and suffering from damp walls.

Since we started this campaign, we have also received reports of graffiti, overflowing bins and general litter dumping. People have told us about mice and cockroaches – and even human excrement in the corridors. No-one should have to live like this.

I demanded a meeting with the Managing Director of Circle 33 – and he is coming to my constituency office next Friday. We will be presenting him with the petition and accompanying him on the site visit.

I won’t rest until these problems are sorted!