Impression of the new development in Highgate

• IT’S official, Camden’s planning department is not fit for purpose.

After the March decision to approve the MSK Pharmaceutical eyesore that will deprive King’s Cross of its heritage status, Camden have now voted to demolish Bill Forrest’s beautiful, elegant, Chester Road hostel.

Seven unqualified councillors decided to ignore the advice of experts and the pleas from hundreds of residents to demolish one of few buildings left from Camden’s golden age of council architecture to make way for a monstrosity.

Shame on those who will be forever remembered for putting an eyesore in Highgate in contempt of the residents and the homeless who must live there.

Nor should anyone who respects our built environment, our heritage, our democracy, and the homeless ever vote for any of the Camden 7.

The existing Chester Road building could have been refurbished or there could have been two buildings. It did not have to be destroyed.

No one is arguing against the need for proper housing for the homeless. On the contrary those against the new eyesore, like Cllr Oliver Cooper, believe the homeless deserve better.

Once, for nearly two decades in the 1960s and 1970s, Camden had one of the most famous housing departments in the world. Architects came from all over the world to admire the council buildings and architectural groups still have tours of what is left.

Now, in 2021, the idea is to build anything cheap and nasty; and to hell with civic pride. There is no other explanation for this cynical decision.

JOYCE GLASSER, NW3