Wells Terrace development

bluejack

I might have missed discussion of this topic somewhere on the forum (if so apologies) but has anybody else seen the plans for Wells Terrace area development? What do you think?
See:
http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/5205872.article

markpack

I'd not seen that document so thanks for the link. The plans look quite good to me, particularly the emphasis on drawing the different areas together with developments that face the streets, the new one-way street etc.

Bridget

I was wondering if that is really happening.

They closed the Finsbury Park for a few days work and I was expecting a bit more of a transformation.

It just looked like they had prepped it for a bit of paint!

I wonder if it is still happening. Ive been hoping for a Simply M&S!

tosscat

I'm loving the retro tunnel and hope they leave the current colour scheme.

David

They've been restoring a bit of the original tiling at Covent Garden, not loads but I noticed where knackered they were restoring with matching tiles rather than just whacking new modern tiles on. Perhaps they've realised there's some hidden splendour in many stations that might give the tube a bit of pride back.

bluejack

I'm not sure that a couple of 22 storey towers will either fit, or improve the ambience of the area, which is predominantly low level rooflines. And I don't think that the scheme shows much architectural imagination or brio - hard to tell from the artist impressions, but it does look to me rather depressingly like more of the same old shiny concrete/steel/glass intended more to make profit than to enhance the living environment. Maybe I'm just grumpy today..

injoke

wait, the paintwork on the wells terrace tunnel is deliberate?

tosscat

[yawn](http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/5205872.article)

graeme

The weird thing about the Wells Terrace closure was the removal of Oyster facilities. Absolute bonkers that what must be the single busiest tube station in North London can remove all methods for checking your card status (pre-pay or Travelcard), not even a mobile temporary machine.

Buildings don't look too bad - can't be any worse than the hand-built yellow mini-markets and West Indian food stands.

tosscat

If they corrected the typo on the Fonthill Road view I may be more impressed.

ADGS

Optimo: seconded re: the payment facilities, though I bet all the area's newsagents and other Oyster stops were glad of the extra business.

Donna

thanks for the link, that's so cool! thank you.

andy

<img src="http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/550x400fitpad[150]/0/6/4/1208064_final___street_terrace_benson_forsyth.jpg">
Finsbury Park

<img src="http://www.pixelmap.com/images/Arch/dma_meier_02.jpg">
Perry Street, New York

Seems to be related to the Perry Street Towers designed by Richard Meier. The only difference being that Perry St is one of the world's most expensive residential apartments, whilst City North will overlook "Fonthill Fashion Corridor"

markpack

When they hear how close it is to London's wig hotspot, those New York celebs will come rushing.

tosscat

Will the Russian celebs come newyorkin?

poxy

Do we need to be concerned about the long-term prospects for Dotori?

<a href="http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/Journals/1/Files/2009/7/29/CNI boards V7.pdf" target="qwerty">Identified Devolepment (sic) Sites (bottom RH corner of Page 1)</a>

Ian

@poxy - if they are insane they will drive Dotori out, in which case I would suggest we will all club together and get them a place further up Stroud Green Road in return for free dumpling soup with every sushi meal.

Of course, if they are smart they will give them a bigger space.

Reg

As far as I know, although the Island Site is identified for development the fractured ownership means it is on the back burner for the time being. For more info check out the 2005 [urban analysis](http://www.islington.gov.uk/DownloadableDocuments/Environment/Pdf/finsburypark/evidencebase_sect6b.PDF) that supported the production of the 2008 [Area Action Plan](http://www.islington.gov.uk/DownloadableDocuments/Environment/Pdf/finsburypark/finsbury_park_aap_october_07.pdf). Lots of information about issues and ownership.

Alex

Wow, thanks for those documents. The Area Action Plan due for adoption in April 2011, supported by analysis from 2005. Does that represent a specially fast-tracked process? Is Islington still on track to hit its deadlines on this?

Reg

Islington has been a bit slow at this because they had to withdraw their first proposed Core Strategy document back in 2007 and effectively start again. The Boroughs are obliged for their plans to conform to the London Plan (set by the Mayor). There are fundamental differences of opinion between the Mayor's office/Government Office for London (GOL) and LBI about the future of Islington (housing targets for example) and since they have never really resolved their differences they fight like cats and dogs at every opportunity. In terms of FP, the AAPs and other documents are inherently linked to the Core Strategy and are supposed to sit 'underneath it' so they get delayed too, although I doubt the content will change. [This document](http://www.islington.gov.uk/DownloadableDocuments/Environment/Pdf/ldf_pack/exploratory_meeting_inspectors_notes_17_june_07.pdf) gives an excellent account of the arguments. @Alex, to answer your question then, this is slower than the usual two years for an AAP but I would say that 2011 is realistic for adoption now. However, to confuse things these documents will be used by the council as 'material considerations' with a fair amount of weight in the event that a planning application comes forward - like Wells Terrace for example.