• IT’S good that the local councillors and Katharine Bligh (chair of Finchley Road and Kilburn Labour Party) agree with local objections to the current Finchley Road O2 Centre redevelopment proposals, (We have a better vision for the O2 Centre site, September 23).

I suggest a couple of additional considerations. One big concern is the loss of the large Sainsbury’s supermarket and its car park. Both could be retained by roofing over the car park (which would still enjoy natural light and ventilation) with the new blocks above, interspersed with landscaped gardens and other green spaces.

The other parts of the existing O2, currently on top of the Sainsbury’s, could be rebuilt as required. With careful project management this is feasible. Although it would cost more and eat into Landsec’s profits, the Sainsbury’s and its car park would remain; so I hope local residents will continue pushing for it.

Another consideration is design quality. So far we’ve only been shown one layout of the new blocks and this has been generating vociferous objections, particularly from the residents immediately to the north, who would be overshadowed. It would be reasonable for the developer to suggest a range of better layouts.

If they want to see an amenable, high-density, residential development on a site almost the same size and shape as the O2, also with a busy railway line alongside it, they should take Katharine Bligh’s advice: 10 minutes down the road is the world-famous Alexandra & Ainsworth Estate, built by Camden Council back in the happy days when local authorities had control over housing development.

TOM MUIRHEAD
Architect