• AS a long-term resident of the Alexandra & Ainsworth Estate who watched the Kisaburo Kawakami building, known as the “Hive” being built and who has witnessed the years of non-occupation, neglect and decay I am delighted that plans for a nursery are almost settled, (Camden has failed and let the community down with their handling of The Hive, July 26).

The nursery project was chosen from five competing projects for the space by the residents themselves on the basis that it would have strong links with the community and, of course, provide places for “our” children.

The building was assessed fairly recently as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund restoration of the adjacent Alexandra Road Park as needing nearer £200,000 worth of work for it to be usable; so an overspend of £80,000 should have been no surprise. The responsib­ility for this, however, lies with Camden Property Services and not with the nursery.

With regard to communications, surely it is not possible for a new business to advertise a service in any form until all official paperwork has been completed.

I hope that, with a little faith and encouragement from our community, the new nursery will be up and running very soon, taking a good input of children from the Alexandra & Ainsworth Estate.

This special building has been left to languish for years by property services and looks beautiful at the moment. However, until it is occupied it is still endangered, risking further wasted costs.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES
Chair, Friends of Alexandra Park Road