Chris Moyles and Highgate residents in new privacy battle with developers
Furious Highgate residents including Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles are in a renewed bid to block a controversial “garden grabbing” application - which neighbours warn will destroy their privacy.
Developers Loromah are appealing Haringey Council’s decision to turn down controversial proposals to squeeze two modern flats onto the same site as a Grade II listed Victorian villa in Archway Road.
But neighbours, including the Radio 1 breakfast DJ, have vowed to defeat the proposals.
They hope an air raid shelter, recently uncovered beneath a thick layer of bracken underneath the proposed site, will help in their battle.
Keith Gold, who lives in nearby Highgate Avenue, said: “There is a real risk attached to this. If you build on top of the shelter it could be unsafe, because you could see very significant land movement that would affect the next door house.
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“It could be very dangerous to fiddle with that structure.”
There have been calls to list the shelter, which would give the historic monument and the ground above it some protection from development.
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But English Heritage would have to be satisfied that the air raid shelter illustrated important aspects of the nation’s social, economic, cultural or military history.
The development was turned down by Haringey Council in April.
Residents have warned that if it goes ahead, the three storey building would cast a shadow over neighbouring properties depriving residents of their privacy.
Mr Gold, who has lived in the area for 16 years, added: “Forgetting about all the design issues, which are relevant because it is a conservation area, our big concern is privacy.
“This is a three-and-a-half floor building that overlooks our street and a ring of gardens and bedrooms in the area.
“All of the affected people are in support of Haringey in defeating the proposal.
“We see no reason why the original judgement wasn’t sound.”
The appeal was lodged with the Planning Inspectorate at the end of October.
