Lib Dems braced for showdown over Finsbury skyscraper (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Lib Dems braced for showdown over Finsbury skyscraper

July 11, 2008 11:01 AM

Cllr Ruth Polling inspects a model of the proposed skyscraper

The architect's model of the skyscraper demonstrates how much taller it will be than anything else in the area.

The two-year battle to stop a 39-storey skyscraper on Old Street reached a critical point this week as planning inspectors sat to decide on Islington council's 2007 decision to refuse planning permission for the tower. Local Liberal Democrat councillor Ruth Polling attended the hearing to fight against the tower on behalf of local residents.

The skyscraper, earmarked for the corner or Old Street and City Road, would be the tallest building in Islington, and would be 26 metres higher than even the Barbican towers.

In July 2007 Liberal Democrat councillors voted unanimously against planning permission for the towers because of its excessive bulk. The Liberal Democrats also argued that the tower lacked facilities for its residents and would have a detrimental effect on the local conservation area.

The developers appealed, and the Government planning inspectorate are meeting in Finsbury Town Hall to decide on the future of the project.

The planning inspectorate have the power to overturn the council's decision and give the developers permission to build despite local objections.

Councillor Ruth Polling, the local Liberal Democrat councillor, attended the appeal to present the case of local people. After giving her submission, she commented:

"We listened to local residents and fought against this skyscraper for two years on their behalf. This towering corporate identikit monstrosity will have a huge impact on the character of the local neighbourhood. At nearly forty stories and taller than the Barbican towers this skyscraper would dwarf even the biggest tower blocks in Finsbury.

"This area cannot just be seen as an extension of the City. This is a residential community and if this development goes ahead it will be a disaster for local people. The developers have misjudged the area and just don't seem to care about the people who already live there.

"I really hope the inspector throws this appeal out."