The new space on the estate in Somers Town

TENANTS on an estate in Somers Town say they feel they have been “squeezed out” of a community space they thought would be returned to them after redevelopment, following a decision by the Council to appoint a charity to manage the tenants hall/

The Coopers Lane Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) has run a tenants hall on the estate since the 1970s. In 2022, their old hall was demolished as part of a housing regeneration scheme.

The TRA said they had been told they would have the same agreement to run the hall as before, but the council have selected New Horizon Youth Centre, a local charity as the tenant that will run the building and share it with residents.

“Residents are worn out,” said long term Somers Town resident Paul Tomlinson, adding: “, which tenants have had over the years to spend on residents activities.

“We have nothing against New Horizons. “But it’s not a fair share and it’s not really flexible. The council has made it a rigid arrangement that is not going to be very favourable to tenants at all.”

New Horizon Youth Centre, are a charity that work in King’s Cross and support young people aged 16-24 experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

It provides a safe space offering hot food, showers, laundry, housing advice, counseling and training helping over 1,500 youths annually to rebuild their lives.

Camden council has said that changes to the Building Safety Act mean the Coopers Lane Community Hall must be managed by a third party.

The TRA said that in discussions with the council in 2022 they would be offered the new hall in a “like for like” agreement.

After recent negotiations, the TRA has been offered access to the hall on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.

Residents say the arrangement is a major loss of control over a facility that they believe belongs to the community.

James Butler, chair of the Coopers Lane TRA said: “We’re not getting the hall back – we’re going to be able to use it one day a week and maybe weekends, but we have no say in the hall. We can’t use it to raise funds or use it for any other functions. I feel disgusted by the council. Camden are liars the whole way through.”

Mr Butler said that without unlimited access to the hall they will be unable to fund community activities.

The previous Coopers Lane Community Hall was used for a range of activities, like yoga, line dancing, 18th-century dancing, bingo, Ludo, Christmas and Halloween parties, christenings, weddings and wakes.

Mr Butler added: “The council went so far to involve us in the decorating of the new hall, the paint for the walls and the colour of the lino. “We are completely and utterly entitled to the hall and they promised us that hall. We gave up the original hall on the premise we were getting like for like. It hasn’t happened that way.”

Wendy Priolo, treasurer of the TRA said: “The council have lied to us. They’ve acted for themselves and they’ve taken away our right to manage the space.”

The hall has remained closed and the New Journal understands that until an agreement is made between the TRA and the new tenants that it will remain closed and unused.

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “We’re pleased to welcome New Horizons Youth Centre to this community space to provide crucial support for young people and families in Somers Town. We recognise the value of the TRA and we are working together on an agreement.

“Due to stricter building and fire safety regulations in place, this required a leaseholder who is responsible for ensuring compliance and full maintenance of the space.”

A New Horizon Youth Centre spokesperson said: “We have been working with Camden Council and the local Tenants and Residents Association to explore the use of Coopers Lane Hall and discussions remain ongoing.”