• THE proposed 25-storey block of flats to be built on the Purchese Street Open Space near the Crick Institute and beside the Coopers Lane estate has been opposed by many residents.

It will mean that a large grass area, one of the last in the ward, will be turned into a construction site for seven years while other major projects continue – a tower block of luxury flats in a park where people of all ages are offered free opportunities to play, exercise, or relax in a safe environment. The development will create a higher density for Somers Town residents, whether living in Phoenix Court, Monica Shaw Court, the Coopers Lane estate and so on. The proposed block will have no place for car parking or cars and vehicles generally so it would mean there would be no place there for disabled and elderly people who need cars to take them to events at local community centres or to medical surgeries or relatives. It makes it less likely that disabled or elderly people could live happily in the area.

Residents including the neighbourhood forum and councillors opposed the building of the tower block at every turn, together with other impacts to their area such as HS2, Crossrail 2, Maria Fidelis rebuild and the other blocks of the Community Investment Programme.

To this end when the 25-storey block was agreed by the planning committee, the forum agreed to seek a judicial review of the plan and appeared before Mr Justice Jay on February 7 (Hefty legal bill for Somers Town tower campaigners, February 9). The judge decided not to accept the arguments against the development.

It is shocking that 1,390 sq metres of open space will be lost. Somers Town is the area with the highest child population density and where few families have access to private gardens. Most local people do not want this block built; do not want to lose the park; and do not want the intensification of housing.

Along with 1,000 local people, we have objected to the scheme. We hope therefore that the fight continues and we have your support.

CLLR ROGER ROBINSON
CLLR PAUL TOMLINSON
Labour, St Pancras & Somers Town ward