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.
You may also want to watch:
“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.
Most Read
- 1 Hampstead creperies told to close by Camden Council because of 'Covid risk'
- 2 Teenager dies after stabbing in Archway
- 3 Ole & Steen bakery set to open in Hampstead's former Café Rouge
- 4 Police mourn 'devoted' Camden constable who died from Covid
- 5 Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta echoes players' support for absent Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- 6 HS2 tunnel protesters evicted in 'siege' outside Euston Station
- 7 Arsenal face a crucial week as they bid to start pushing on
- 8 We must take the vaccine to protect the BAME community
- 9 Royal Free calls in the army as 'unprecedented' demand continues
- 10 MPs challenge Hampstead Heath ponds swimming charges hike
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.