Plans for the Bacton Towees development

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DEVELOPERS and council officers have pulled out of a public meeting to discuss the new Bacton Towers development built in Queen’s Crescent.

Representatives from the council and develop­ers Mount Anvil had initially accepted an invite to meet with residents today (Thursday) at the Queen’s Crescent Community Association but have since dropped out.

The meeting was organised by the Bacton Towers Action group, formed by local residents, to discuss the controver­sial Bacton Low Rise development that could see two high-rise towers built in Queen’s Crescent.

Mount Anvil said in an email to residents: “We still believe the most productive way to engage with you/group is via our design consultation events and drop-in coffee mornings each Tuesday.

“We are however willing to offer a more detailed sit-down presentation to a handful of individuals where we’re confident we can meaningfully engage with those attending.”

Julia Oertli of the Bacton Towers Action Group said: “After failed attempts to try to speak with both Camden Council and Mount Anvil as a collective, we wanted to create an opportunity for direct dialogue between residents and the decision-makers.

“Both Camden Council and Mount Anvil initially said they were willing to attend and then pulled out.

“The reasons they provided was that there is an existing consultation process run by Mount Anvil itself – which we see as a massive conflict of interest – and told us to engage with that instead.

“However, we see the consultation process as completely inadequate. It is not accessible to many residents – for example, Mount Anvil’s weekly drop-in sessions are on Tuesday mornings, when many people are at work.”

Resident Robert Lewenstein said: “We believe this shows Camden Council and Mount Anvil are not confident that their proposal for Bacton phase 2 will stand up to public scrutiny. We are still going ahead with the event on the 20th and will record everyone’s statements so they can be sent to Camden Council and Mount Anvil.

“They have let the com­munity down by refusing to engage with residents directly and seem intent on pushing through with this development despite our objections.”

A Mount Anvil spokes­person said: “Mount Anvil is committed to open, inclusive and meaningful engagement that promotes equal opportunity for all local people to be heard. As an extension to our weekly drop-in sessions, we have offered a more detailed sit-down presen­ta­tion for a handful of rep­resentatives at a time that is convenient for them.”

A Camden Council spokesperson said “We place great value on our ongoing engagement with the community in Gospel Oak as we work with Mount Anvil to develop these plans. Mount Anvil has held multiple consultation events, including four design consultation sessions, two Meet the Developer events, and weekly drop-ins. Listening to local residents and groups is essential to the ongoing design process, and Mount Anvil have offered to facilitate a dedicated consultation event with representatives of the Bacton Towers Action Group. Further public consultation events will also take place ahead of a planning application being submitted.

“While no arrange­ments were made for Council representatives to attend the Bacton Towers Action Group meeting, we are committed to listening to the views of all of our local stake­ holders and Mount Anvil have an ongoing direct dialogue with the group to ensure this is achieved.”