In the months that we have been campaigning against the Dalby Street development at Talacre, we have found not a single person, apart from the developers, who supports it. Some councillors hide behind the claim that approval which was conditional on ac

In the months that we have been campaigning against the Dalby Street development at Talacre, we have found not a single person, apart from the developers, who supports it.

Some councillors hide behind the claim that approval which was conditional on acceptable access arrangements was agreed some time ago. Others that they weren't around at the time of one decision or another. Others that it was ok in the early days, but that it is the later plans make it intolerable.

The development is fundamentally flawed because it leaves a public amenity forever at the mercy of the owners of 55 flats. The proposed agreement between the Council and the developers is a public document so just ask us for a copy and we will immediately email it. If it means what it is said to mean, then words that say any costs required to "safeguard public amenity and the reasonable access requirements of the Leisure Centre" means that the Sports Centre will not be constrained from expanding in size and scope of activities. Extra costs needed to manage the vehicle access if patronage increases will be met out of service charges. Also, extra costs to tighten up security if it deceases due to fear of crime on the pedestrian route. Who in their right mind would buy a flat with the risk of unlimited increases in service charge? On the other hand, if the agreement doesn't mean that, we have been misinformed and the public amenity is not being maintained. Service charges for a 3 bedroom private flat based on current marshalling etc requirements and affordable flats taking their share, is £7,000 pa and that's after paying over £900,000. Again, the information is in the public domain. Just ask us or the Council, for Public Inquiry document AP19.

But it gets worse. If the Sports Centre needs planning permission for something that disadvantages the owners of the flats, for example it results in higher access costs and therefore service charges, then the owners have the right to object. Turkeys don't vote for Christmas.

Nick Harding

St Anns Gardens

London NW5