The O2 Centre site on Finchley Road

• AS local councillors we would like to express our vision for a genuinely liveable neighbourhood at the site of the O2 Centre on Finchley Road, also incorporating the wishes and feelings of our community and local views for the area after having listened to various community organisations and residents.

After a recent experience with the 100 Avenue Road development, approved by the Conservative government against the wishes of the whole community, and where the developer is now trying to contravene its already stated minimum commitment to deliver few “affordable” units in a high-rise block, we do not want to see history repeating itself here.

We are not surprised by the sheer hypocrisy of local Conservatives now campaigning against some of the Landsec proposals. Is it perhaps because they know their national government and developers will steam over local community concerns, but in the meantime cynically try and win over some local votes?

The impact of the proposed 2,000 units at the O2 site could be hugely damaging as this may effectively create a new ward in an existent one that is already quite densely populated.

The London Assembly planning and regeneration committee recently spoke against tall buildings that lead to higher environmental costs and have a negative impact on social and family life.

Such a development could pose ongoing issues to our community and Camden Council for years to come, while Landsec, the developer, reaps the profits. Furthermore the percentage of “affordable” residential units being proposed is substantially lower than Camden’s own policy.

The O2 Centre facilities are integral to the lives of many residents and workers in the area, such as the affordable supermarket, the community space, the gym and the bookstore.

It is clear that we need to retain such facilities and also need more green areas, step-free access to the tube stations, additional health care infrastructure and non-commercial community space for all ages.

A genuinely liveable neighbourhood on the O2 Centre site, which we would support, is one of reduced density, including lower-rise buildings, with a real affordable offering, and facilities which enable the community to enjoy easy access to quality food, health, and sustainable transport.

CLLR NAYRA BELLO O’SHANAHAN
CLLR LEO CASSARANI
CLLR SIMON PEARSON
Labour, Swiss Cottage ward
CLLR SHIWA TIWARI
Labour, West Hampstead ward
CLLR LORNA RUSSELL
Labour, Fortune Green ward
CLLR DOUGLAS BEATTIE
CLLR MARYAM ESLAMDOUST
CLLR THOMAS GARDINER
Labour, Kilburn ward