Anger at plans for new school in Hornsey
FURIOUS residents demonstrated their anger at plans to build a new school in Hornsey as part of the Heartlands regeneration project. At Monday s action-packed meeting, councillors approved plans to build a £34million secondary school for 1,100 students in
FURIOUS residents demonstrated their anger at plans to build a new school in Hornsey as part of the Heartlands regeneration project.
At Monday's action-packed meeting, councillors approved plans to build a £34million secondary school for 1,100 students in a disused utilities site.
But residents expressed their disappointment at the plans, which include a wind turbine, 39 car parking spaces and air-handling units, stating it will be visually intrusive, impact the ecology and peace, and increase traffic and congestion.
Dozens of objectors attended the meeting, causing numerous interruptions. They complained that because of the packed agenda of 11 complex applications - only six of which could be heard during the meeting - the school's application was pushed through.
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Cries of "fascists", "bias" and "boo" poured down from the gallery while one resident was escorted out by security for being disruptive.
Colin Kerr, vice chairman of the Avenue Gardens residents' association, said: "This was the first time this major development had come before the committee.
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"The purpose of a planning meeting is that it has to be a public hearing and open. But I think the chairman was trying to prevent full discussions of the issues."
But project architect Paul Scott said: "I think there was a lot of opportunity for people to comment.
"With all complex designs, there is a level of compromise to be made.
"We're delighted that the permission was granted."
The Heartlands scheme, which sits just behind Alexandra Palace, aims to develop 1.5 million square feet of derelict land into 2,500 new homes, as well as a secondary school, business offices and retail units.
It is hoped the scheme will create up to 1,500 new jobs for people in the area..
