Fight over neighbourhood centre not over

THE saga of a former neighbourhood advice centre, and the police’s plan to turn it into a new base for Camden Town officers, took a new twist this week when an ex-Mayor protested against the scheme.
Gloria Lazenby has called on planners to throw out the scheme to renovate 12 Greenland Road – the former headquarters of the Camden Town Neighbourhood Advice Centre (CTNAC).
In a written three-pronged attack on the scheme, she said:
• consultation has not been carried out properly;
• the scheme would not best help the community;
• listed building conditions have been ignored.
Although a CTNAC supporter and currently allowing the service to operate from her home, Ms Lazenby said her objection was filed as a resident living in nearby St Martin’s Close.
She said: “This site is probably the most controversial site in the local area and proper consultation about change of use and listed building consent should have been held. To have any sensitivity and democratic intent, this site should be going to committee and not being decided by unelected officers.”
The final decision currently rests with planning officials, due on February 4, although if several residents have objected it could be transferred to the full planning committee.
Ms Lazenby’s protest took the sheen off news delivered by community safety boss Councillor Anna Stewart at Monday’s full council meeting as she indicated preparations for the new police base were nearing a climax.
In a written note read by all councillors, she said that the council’s housing chief Neil Litherland had set up a meeting with Borough Commander Mark Heath on February 7 to finalise arrangements.
“I have no doubt that when the base is operational, it will make a very real difference in helping to address the concerns of residents and provide a very visible police presence in the area,” she added.