Gondar Gardens residents’ ‘regret’ as developers submit third planning application

The fate of a reservoir site that community campaigners have long fought to protect has taken a fresh twist after a developer submitted a third planning application for the site.

The planning inspector has twice dismissed appeals to build homes on the Gondar Gardens site in West Hampstead.

But developer Linden Wates has lodged a new application with Camden Council that attempts to address specific issues raised by the planning inspector.

The Gondar and Agamemnon Residents’ Association (GARA) has campaigned tirelessly against development of the reservoir, but the group fears that the long fight to protect it may be almost over.

GARA chairman David Yass said: “If the revised design is acceptable, then Camden officers and councillors will find it difficult to refuse the application. It is with much regret that we have reached this conclusion.”

GARA said in a statement: “We have successfully protected the open space for many years.

“Our task now is to ensure that the proposed design is something we can live with and to secure the future of the remainder of the site as a nature space, with local involvement.”

The deadline for objections is next Wednesday, January 8.