William Britain, chair of the Highgate Society, writes:

While wishing everyone reading this a happy and healthy 2023, we at The Highgate Society recognise it is going to be an exceptionally difficult year for many.

There are major challenges ahead, whether these affect individuals worried about heating and food bills or groups like ours facing higher costs for our building.

Our Community Projects group illustrates the value of getting out into our streets and open spaces. We know from feedback, that many who see litter being collected by volunteers are grateful and some then join the team.

With support from the guerrilla gardening group, residents in the Miltons successfully tidied and planted a rundown overgrown street space. Please contact us for support and advice in setting up your own local group: many feel fitter, healthier and happier when they work together with neighbours to improve their immediate area.

There are plenty of steep slopes and narrow streets in Highgate. The elderly, the less able and families with young children need access to a range of transport options including buses and cars.

Traffic and transport changes require genuine consultation involving a deep local knowledge and recognition from councils that residents and businesses have a strong interest in supporting local shops which also depend on passing trade.

We recognise that there is a push to provide more housing across London. Our concern is that sometimes the profit motive is leading developers to over develop sites with loss of important green space.

Where councils rely on information to be provided by developers, it is critical that relevant officers also visit the sites.

Again, deep local knowledge is important and in complex conservation areas with listed structures - Shepherds Cottage in Townsend Yard being a prime example - lack of close local knowledge can and has led to major errors.

Our Planning Group is at the heart of The Society and is busier than ever trying to ensure that what does get built adds rather than detracts from the Highgate environment.

The Highgate Society always welcomes new volunteers: together we can achieve more and better understand and help meet the needs of more residents in Highgate.

Do get in touch is you are interested to get involved in our activities.