• IN the light of the Grenfell Tower disaster it does not bode well that Essential Living plan to remove four exits from their 100 Avenue Road 24-storey development. They also want to reduce hallway space to increase accommodation and retail space.

The reasons given are to “deliver an improved environment for future occupiers of both the residential and commercial uses… The changes to the internal layouts improve the quality and configuration of the apartments, utilising excess and oversized hallways to improve the unit sizes.” Translated, this means maximising profits and minimising safety!

Removing one of the two exits of the horizontal, “affordable” building that faces the green serves only to maximise the retail space and to “improve attractiveness”. The reason given for removing one of the main tower exits facing Avenue Road is for a “water feature”. Really?

In addition the new plans show removal of two further entrances from the south of the tower. Leaving only one exit for a 24-storey tower block that only has one stairwell and reducing internal public access throughout the development will surely compromise fire safety. Prioritising commercial interests over people’s safety is unacceptable.

This application proposes “non-material” changes. Yet it is clear that these amendments are “material”; therefore this application must be rejected.

Please send your objections, as soon as possible, in your own words (please only refer to these issues – any reference to the original scheme will invalidate your objection), to Jonathan McClue: jonathan.mcclue@camden.gov.uk and cc: planning@camden.gov.uk The subject heading: 100 AVENUE ROAD, NW3 3HF APPLICATION No: 2017/4036/P. Consultation closes August 18.

JANINE SACHS
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