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| Blunder threatens Academy |
CAMPAIGNERS fighting a proposed new city academy expressed delight
this week after a planning blunder threatened the future of the
project.
Failure by Islington Council to consult English Heritage over the
1,400 pupils St Mary Magdalene Academy means building work has ceased
and the entire site design may have to be radically altered. It
follows the threat of legal action by Holloway residents, Rani Bibi
and Terry Powers – reported in this paper two weeks ago –
who argued that the new school would ruin “the conservation
setting” of the area.
Islington council and the Diocese of London, which is providing
£2million towards its establishment, was granted planning
permission for the academy in Liverpool Road, earlier this year.
But in a dramatic move planning permission was quashed on Friday
because of what Islington council leader Cllr Steve Hitchins described
as a “technical error”. Finsbury solicitors Leigh Day
initially forecast a High Court hearing for December Mr Bibi and
Mr Powers.
But Mr Powers said: “This is brilliant news, I’m completely
over the moon. They were going to have to bulldoze the back of my
garden. Hopefully that won’t happen now.”
Senior partner Richard Stein said: “The council and Diocese
have recognised they’ve got it wrong and they were aware going
to court would have cost them more. It was a decision for them to
either give in or delay it further.”
The Diocese admitted this week the setback meant construction of
the all-ages Academy was “challenging but do-able”.
Education director Tom Peryer said he was still confident the academy
would meet its September 2007 deadline for its first intake of pupils.
English Heritage confirmed they were not consulted the first time
around on the academy plans. A spokeswoman said: “We will be
looking at the proposals in detail and comment on the effects and
setting of listed buildings in the neighbouring conservation area.”
The new advice will be available within 21 days. At the same time
the council will take the decision back to its planning committee
and residents will be able to make new representations.
English Heritage confirmed that if they believe the academy would
damage the surrounding conservation area then the site’s blueprint
would have to be altered.
Terry Powers, who lives in Crossley Street and whose garden overlooks
the site, said: “I’ve got an idea the council could back
down in the long run. St Mary Magdalene church and gardens should
not look out on a playground roof and big fence.
“The site is too small and the council may just wake up to
that idea. I’ve spoken to a lot of residents affected by this
and will be very closely monitoring the situation.”
The climbdown by Islington and the Diocese means demolition work
will be delayed by at least another two weeks. It was initially
due to start last month. However, mother-of-five and academy supporter
Highbury resident Martine Oborne is not convinced.
Ms Oborne, (pictured) who is hoping to send her youngest daughter
to the academy, said: “The planning permission decision has
been quashed. It’s not inevitable that this will result in
a delay although it does mean that we’ll have to reapply.
“It’s annoying that English Heritage were not consulted
when they should have been – but it was a mistake by someone
in the council.”
Many objectors to the scheme have argued that the now-sold Barnsbury
Complex would be a better, more spacious site for the academy.
They said the 14.5 metre-high tower at Liverpool Road is simply
too high and 1,460 pupils is too many to “cram” onto one
site. Although demolition work is forbidden, the removal of asbestos
from on of the buildings can continue.
Councillor James Kempton, Islington’s children’s supremo,
said: “Although we had consulted widely prior to awarding planning
permission, English Heritage’s views were not asked for and
this is something we are keen to put right.
“We will seek the court’s permission to withdraw the existing
consent and then we will be able to formally consult English Heritage
on the application. The proposal will then go back to planning committee.”
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