How the new development on the O2 Centre site could look when finished 

• I HAVE submitted a formal objection, as a neighbouring ward councillor, to the planning application for the O2 Centre masterplan site on Finchley Road, (Official plans to build ‘new neighbourhood’ at 02 Centre site are revealed, February 16).

The proposed development is wholly inappropriate for the West Hampstead area and fails to meet both community needs and Camden’s planning policy requirements.

First, I am concerned that the height and density of the tower blocks are not in keeping with the rest of the neighbourhood and that this proposal falls short of Camden’s 50 per cent affordable homes target.

Secondly, construction would wreak havoc in the area for a prolonged period of 15 years.

Against this backdrop, the existing community infrastructure is not suited to cope with an additional 2,500 to 3,000 new residents moving there as tubes, railways, and buses are already overcrowded and GP practices currently oversubscribed.

Lastly, from an environmental perspective, I am concerned that this plan involves complete demolition of the existing buildings on the site, contravening Camden’s commitments to achieve net-zero by 2030.

In itself the O2 centre is a mere 24 years old. I believe a more appropriate proposal would be to have progressed with an application to build new housing on the car park section of the site only, leaving the O2 Centre there as a much-loved community asset.

However what has been most concerning to me is Labour’s ominous silence on this planning application, given that it would irreversibly change the area.

Before I left the Labour Party for the Green Party last year, I was advised against taking a stance on the early plans for the O2 Centre and was reprimanded by some local members for signing a joint letter raising concerns about the initial proposals.

This was extremely disappointing since I saw it – and still do see it – as my job as a councillor to represent my community’s interests, particularly against those of developers’ interests.

I implore Camden Labour to join me and representatives from the Lib Dems and Conservatives in calling for a better deal for the community on this site.

CLLR LORNA JANE RUSSELL
Deputy Leader
Camden’s Green Group