Stroud Green - Planning Applications

kreuzkav

@ Thomas, better housing could be created in less busy areas and it's not cheap housing from what I've heard.  Jobs, yes, but jobs  could be created in other areas like building cycle highways.....  Regenerating a low quality area?  So that it turns into some bland Brunswick centre mall full of generic shops.  I think it's good to let an area be at times.  The problem with an area coming up is that it first gets its gentrified cafes and restaurants, which are the warning signs, then it's blanded-out.  If you don't get that, you don't get what is magical about this area.  

Thomas

@miss annie Ha, yep been here before! Happy to disagree! Merry Christmas!

kreuzkav

@Thomas, that's not much of a debate, please tell us how this will improve housing, the area...

Thomas

<p>@kreuzkav, that's because I have no intention in getting involved in a debate. We both clearly have different opinions and I suspect that's the way it will stay. </p>

kreuzkav

@ Thomas, I suspect you're involved in this project.

Thomas

<p>@kreuzkav. Why- because I don't agree with your opinion?! Keep suspecting Sherlock, but am not involved. Although I do routinely wear a jumper over shirt, so guess that makes me one of 'them', the invaders!</p>

kreuzkav

Fair enough Thomas. There's no going back now. No tardis to get into.  Sorry, wrong TV series.  This is the new face of Finsbury Park.

Arkady

I'm not a big believer in its architectural merits, but I think we’d be rather lucky if it turned out like the Brunswick Centre. Sure it has some of the higher-end chains, but it also has some one-off shops, an arthouse cinema, and a rotating selection of interesting markets and other event days. It is very popular with locals. And it also demonstrates that an enclave of chain shops can act as a draw to an area without having a negative impact on local independent shops (such as the lovely Lambs Conduit Street) or the overall character of an area.<br><br>Of course, I don’t expect that to change the opinion of the City-North-is-the-manifestation-of-the-antichrist brigade.<br>

vetski

I quite like the Brunswick too - it's certainly an improvement over its former incarnation.

NorthNineteen

I'm looking forward to City North, it will help support new businesses around Finsbury Park and also provide more office space - I know of several companies around Finsbury Park who are looking to expand.  Quite looking forward to the "Boutique shops, gastropubs, independent cafés, gourmet restaurants & trendy bars".<br>

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Arkady

I’m nor a bit worried about the “property magnets” which “hive off people with good intentions” that Kreuzkav mentioned. Will they pick my house up and drop it screaming into the depths of the new development?<br><br><img src="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/magnet-house-10866097.jpg"><br><br>Kreuzkav, so that I understand better, please could you give me some examples of specific things about Stroud Green that you are worried about being lost as a result of this development? The example that you already cited – the Brunswick Centre – isn’t a very good example if you’re trying to claim that developments like this have a ‘generifying’ impact on the wider area. I fear we are doomed to disagree though – it seems that many of the things I love about this area are the things you hate, and vice versa. Ah well, at least you won’t be priced out.<br><br>You ask why Finsbury Park was chosen as opposed to ‘less busy’ areas. I would agree with you if you feel that there should be a lot more houses being built on brownfield sites. But Finsbury Park is an area designated as appropriate for especially tall buildings in compliance with the GLA’s <a href="http://http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/planning/london-plan">London Plan</a>. Haringey and Islington’s local planning policies have to be (and are) compliant with this plan. The fundamental argument is that tall buildings (with all the benefits of additional housing, office and retail space that they can bring) ought to be built a) in clusters for aesthetic reasons and b) on top of transport hubs to minimise the number of cars/car infrastructure that might otherwise result (City North only has disabled parking). <br><br>You may disagree with this principle, but if so you should shake your fist at the Mayor (Ken, rather than Boris) and not Islington.<br>

Arkady

Misscara – if you don’t think you will like it, have you considered just not visiting it? It’s not like you can visit that part of Finsbury Park at the moment. Why not live and let live? The White Lion will still be there.

Mirandola

I have always loved the Brunswick Centre. Best architecture in London.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Mirandola

Misscara - yes, I've often wondered who designed that one.

kreuzkav

Maybe The Brunswick Centre was a bit too ambitious a vision.  I like the Renoir cinema but I don't like the feel of the Brunswick. All those bland shops and cafes like Carluccios. Awful.  Infact, I don't like shopping centres at all but I realise a lot of people do.  I think it will be more like the N1 development.  I wouldn't say no to the cinema or a concert venue like they have though.<div><br></div><div>I think my greatest concern will be how bland it will be.  However, once it's done we can skip the shopping centre and merrily make our way up Stroud Green road and the same vibe will exist here. Who knows, I might even like it.  Time will tell.  Places change and it will be interesting to see how it turns out.  </div><div><br></div><div>Good joke about property magnets.  Good debate.</div>

Mirandola

I wish someone from City North would post on here.

miss annie

I expect they are too busy counting their money

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

ChangN4N6

It is near Rowans, so that must tempt you? Top venue and not pricey if u stick to lager. Chang

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

miss annie

Edited. Because I really don't want the abuse.

andy

<font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2">This is, in my view, London's biggest problem:</font><div><font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2"><br></font><blockquote style="font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;"><div><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: 'lucida grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20.796875px; font-size: 10pt;"><i>"Fed up of working all the hours god sends to pay for the best I can afford accommodation-wise, which is still a far way off the minimum standard most people today should be expected to live in. "</i></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: 'lucida grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20.796875px; font-size: 10pt;"><i><br></i></span></div></blockquote><font face="lucida grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, tahoma, sans-serif" size="2"><span style="line-height: 20.796875px;">I think this is a totally reasonable thing to aspire to, and we're at the stage where for most people in London, it's not possible. </span></font></div>

JoeV

<p class="MsoNormal">For those of you who are pro development, the trouble I have is that usually when comparisons are made it's to only the best and what are now considered ‘successful’ projects.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Sure City North could be the next Brunswick Centre, but it could just as easily be the next Hammersmith as well , which is my concern especially if commuters are forced through a funnel past the shops to reach the tube - but hey, only time will tell.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And about the Brunswick Centre. As nice as it is now, and it’s a pleasant, people friendly place in my opinion, until relatively recently it was a dump and only an infusion of a large amount cash to renovate and a landlord who cares has transformed it. And to be accurate, there are little to no independent shops in the complex as far as I can see. They are all chains – upmarket with an indie feel, yes, but chains nonetheless.<o:p></o:p></p>

Arkady

@Misscara - maybe we can unite over mutual horror at this: <a href="http://londonist.com/2013/12/see-londons-almost-lost-landmarks-at-wellington-arch.php">http://londonist.com/2013/12/see-londons-almost-lost-landmarks-at-wellington-arch.php</a>;

miss annie

@Arkady, do you know about the newly formed East End Preservation Society?

Arkady

Indeed. I played a teensy-weensy supporting role in the original campaign to save the The Marquis of Lansdowne, from which this new broader group subsequently sprung. A heroic movement, and I wish them all the best. I understand that they are sensibly making links with the Friends of Regents Canal – and their proactive, pragmatic but pugnacious Chair Mr Ian Shacklock – for whom, I’ve done a bit of work in the past. More of this sort of thing.

Ali

WLM transformed SGR   You should have seen it before hand !

gardener-joe

WLM was a car showroom before.