Opposition to the Murphy’s Yard scheme

• YOUR headline (1,500 oppose towers bid… 12 back it, February 24) clearly shows the weight of local opposition to the Murphy’s Yard scheme.

But it is Camden Council that will make the decision. It has a different agenda. It is years behind in its Greater London Authority home building targets and way over budget.

We have to look no further than Gospel Oak to see an almost 10-year delay in a 290 home building plan on the Bacton site. One of the Gospel Oak’s smaller developments, it was reportedly £12million over budget and two years’ late.

Much of the detail of timetable and finances of the Community Investment Programme is kept secret and the Labour Party vigorously opposed the setting up of a scrutiny panel.

Indeed, a number of sitting councillors were deselected, reportedly for supporting setting up such a mechanism.

Theoretically councillors on the planning committee are not subject to the party whip – forced to vote on the party decision – but those who do not toe the party line are likely to find themselves in trouble.

How, then, will members of this committee vote, for their residents or for the party line?

We know that one of the Gospel Oak councillors who is a member of the planning committee voted for the 26-storey private flat block in Somers Town in the face of fierce opposition from many residents.

Thus, at the end of the day, no doubt the decision on Murphy’s Yard will be taken on the basis of financial and political factors, despite the opposition of those who will be directly affected by it.

There will no doubt be some minor modifications, but it will be financial and political issues that carry the day.

Perhaps our councillors can comment and the relevant council cabinet members correct any of my points.

MICK FARRANT, NW5