Demolished housing plans

By Celia Paul

POLITICAL feuding led to a reprieve for a controversial Barnsbury housing development last week, after councillors were unable to agree on a demolition order.

Islington Council met to discuss the development, built illegally on land in Barnard Park, and to vote on a demolition proposal put forward by Barnsbury Councillor James Murray.

But wrangling between Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors led to a tied vote, broken by Liberal Democrat mayor Jyoti Vaja. She voted to leave the building standing, but to push for financial compensation from developer Lydbrook Properties.

Planning Officer Geraldine Knipe said: "The block of 12 luxury flats and one townhouse on Copenhagen Street back onto Barnard Park, and are built on a depot site that once belonged to Islington Council."

The flats, however, also occupy a two-metre strip of the park that was never sold to developers, and is still council property.

Councillor Murray said: "The decision has upset Barnsbury residents, who find the building ugly and poorly designed."