Open letter to Camden Council 

• WE are very disappointed by the scope of the proposed neighbourhood assembly for Gospel Oak and Haverstock.

As you know, many people, including the St Pancras and Holborn Constituency Labour Party, have been calling for a strategic plan for the area to guide development for the benefit of the neighbourhood.

A “community vision” developed by a citizens’ assembly was meant to address this, but the proposed process seems to be very selective and designed to closely control and limit the parameters under which local people are able to influence the future of our area.

This is a missed opportunity and shows that the council has not yet learnt that by being more open to shared decision-making, and loosening its control, it could indeed transform our neighbourhoods for the benefit of all residents.

The proposed programme for the “community vision” for GOH brings nothing new into public discussion.

It is a continuation of the council’s “estate-based conversations” focused on housing delivery and excludes elements that are crucial to the development of a holistic plan, that is, business, transport, environmental issues, health and wellbeing.

It does address the need for community facilities, delivery of council services and works to Queen’s Crescent, but these elements are only part of what needs to be discussed by the assembly. The amount of time allocated to even these issues is so short that meaningful deliberation is not possible.

Expectations were raised that the development of a community vision by an assembly would be an inclusive process, and a chance for everyone to have their say.

We request confirmation of how population data has been used for the selection of assembly members. For example, how many members of the assembly are from the inner area and how many from the outer area?

Many people feel that the selection criteria have excluded them from the process and we would like to understand why.

When the current proposed timetable of events has been completed, it should be followed by more inclusive and wide-ranging discussions. We are happy to consider with you how this might be developed.

NEIGHBOURS OF WEST KENTISH TOWN