Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing to lodge my objection to your proposal to build a large number of homes on the green space along Bow lane at the site of the old Finchley Memorial Hospital.Although I fully support the objective of building more homes, and in particular providing housing to NHS staff (who include several members of my family), I do not believe this is an appropriate site given the wide availability of brownfields sites nearby.
The park in front of Finchley Memorial is a much-needed green space that is accessible to the public, It is very regularly used by people taking exercise and relaxing. It is particularly needed right now as the nearest other green space, Victoria Park, is absolutely jammed on sunny days making it difficult for vulnerable people to maintain social distancing.
Moreover, when the old hospital was demolished and the new one was built it used land that had previously been playing fields. At the time (2010) the planning consent from the Mayor’s office was unequivocal that permission was being granted because it would lead to additional green space being made available to the public.
The planning report by the GLA ( PDU/2488/02) noted in paragraph 11 that:
“The site of the demolished hospital would become a publically accessible open space and the redundant Bow Lane Playing Fields, occupying the site’s southern area, would be developed asgrass playing fields comprising two five a-side and one junior pitch, to be used by Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School.”
It further noted in paragraph 22 that:
“In summary, there would be a 9% loss of redundant playing field on the site, however the proposal would create a 100% increase in public access to the remaining space. Furthermore, this remaining space which would be actively managed for enjoyment by the local community, including a primary school that currently has no access to playing fields. The principle is therefore supported.”
I do not believe that the current proposal to develop 130 housing units on this open space is in keeping with the previous commitments.
Kind regards
Jonathan