The Belsize Village “Streatery” scheme in action

• THANK you to Chris Knight for highlighting in the CNJ the public expenditure in relation to the so-called Belsize “streatery”, (Streatery raises questions of cost and consultation, April 22).

This is worrying on a number of levels. The debate about the streatery exposes the fact that there is not enough public open space in the borough.

Despite this Camden Council is reducing the ability of local people to use the space and enabling its covert privatisation.

CIL money (aka Community Infrastructure Levy) is paid by developers to compensate local people for what is quite often harmful development.

The fact that this is necessary is an indictment in itself, but in this case it seems that this money has been misused.

CIL money should be used to increase the amount of public space available to people for recreation, not decrease it as has happened at Belsize Terrace.

Unfortunately it is indicative of what is happening all over our borough – public space is being sacrificed for commercial interests. Local councillors are assisting this agenda instead of protecting valuable public amenity.

Another example of this is the corporate housing investment strategy that Camden Council is pursuing, which results in building on play areas and public gardens.

The impact in Somers Town is one of the most glaring examples, but it is happening all over the borough. It is time to put people above profit.

SUE SHEPHERD
Savernake Road, NW3