View from Gloucester Crescent of the crane in Centric Close

• WHILE all the attention is concentrated on the Oval Road homes backing on to this development we, in Lock House at the far end, appear to have been forgotten, mainly because we realise this is a done deed and there is nothing to be gained by continually moaning about everything, (A frosty reception for ‘managed democracy’, July 18).

I am in a south-facing first-floor flat with a large window only a few metres away from the large private block and am in an equally invidious position.

Having lived here for more than 10 years and having no need for curtains / blinds or care, as outside was just an empty space, I now have to watch my step, as it were, which will take some getting used to. No one has a thought for my opinions on that.

Round-robin emails from the Oval Road residents have complained constantly about dust on the roof, dust in the water system, dust on their windows, surface drilling which will crack walls and so on.

One resident even asked for the tower crane to be “pointed” in another direction in case it fell on her house.

I have no idea of the response to all these complaints as Fairview sent individual responses not round-robin ones. Fairview have been extremely accommodat­ing and as helpful as possible during the whole construction, which is nearing its end now.

The fault lies with Camden Council who would allow building on a postage stamp; nothing stands in the way, listed buildings, trees, people’s rights / comforts / privacy.

When Fairview had its first showing of plans I asked one of the men, what happens if you don’t get planning permission; and he replied – oh we will get permission – it was a done deed even before it went to planning. We didn’t stand a chance of stopping it.

None of these developments are helping with the housing shortage. They provide a few flats for social housing, usually on a higher rent / service charge than council property.

The majority of flats are for private use, often bought by people who buy to let. Money-making schemes with a few scraps thrown to the public.

You might look now at the Morrisons develop­ment which has had planning permission for a couple of years and has yet to start.

Gilbey’s Yard was a problem as the alley way leading in was not large enough to use as a roadway, therefore all traffic would have to go along Chalk Farm Road to the only possible entrance.

Solution – buy Gilbey’s Yard, demolish it and extend Oval Road which, again, nobody living in the area wants. Plus they are making many people homeless so it sort of defeats the object as they will have to be rehoused.

Please feel free to come and view the site from my flat. It won’t change anything and I’m sure the whole of Camden will be a housing jungle in a few years. Sadly.

MO LANE
Lock House, Oval Road, NW1