CONTENTS – 1 Replies from Newlon regarding consultation and planning application
We have been chasing Newlon about the lack of consultation and communication to Old Barnsbury residents and leaseholders about proposals for Old Barnsbury.
The following replies (after the heading) were received from Symon Sentain from Newlon on 23rd Feb 2022.
Despite promising consultation with us later in February, nothing has been forthcoming yet. We have chased again. Please be aware of the indicated date for planning application of April 2022 giving us very little opportunity to review, digest and be consulted on Newlon’s proposals.
We are keeping local councillors in the loop as many of us have expressed concerns about being the lack of any detail for Old Barnsbury since the offer letter was received in early 2021.
As always you can contact us through barnsburyleaseholders@gmail.com
- Replies from Newlon regarding consultation and planning application
I want to assure you that consultation will commence before the end of the month and will be full and comprehensive to reflect the positive changes we want to bring about to Old Barnsbury. You are quite right that it has been too long to recommence the consultation process, but I want to assure you and other residents that a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes to work up proposals we hope will delight, inspire and energise the residents of Old Barnsbury, within the scope of the character and vernacular of these 1930’s blocks.
I will attempt to be as open and transparent as possible in replying to your questions below, answering each in turn:
1. We haven’t had any consultation about Old Barnsbury – when are Old B consultation dates being confirmed? We want to about scope and phasing proposals and have been waiting a long time for this information. We will send out the dates next week in the form of a newsletter, which will include the scope of work proposed to Old Barnsbury and the dates that the consultation will be held in the form of both face to face sessions and Zoom to accommodate preferences.
2. We aren’t sure which Old B refurbishment elements will be submitted as part of the planning application – what are these? If none, please confirm that the planning application relates to New B solely. We are taking advice from our planning consultants, Lichfields, and so have been advised that a planning application is necessary and will include elements such as window and balcony details, as well as the energy strategy for the blocks (space heating, and ventilation) to incorporate changes in the near future to Part L of the Building Regulations and related to climate change more generally. There will also be elements of the proposed open spaces that will form part of the planning application as we would wish to bring about positive changes to these areas to reflect the high quality open spaces planned for New Barnsbury.
3. When is the planning application being submitted? We are aiming to submit the planning application by the end of April, but this is contingent on ensuring that we have consulted with all residents on Old Barnsbury so that we can hear from everyone and reaffirm the Landlord Offer and the other positive changes we wish to propose related to climate change to ensure that the homes are future-proofed as summers get hotter and drier and winters wetter and cyclically colder.
4. At which point/dates during the planning application period can residents review details and send comments/objections/support for consideration during the planning process? We will share details with residents immediately upon recommencing the consultation to include the elements we wish to include in the planning application and give residents on Old Barnsbury ample time to comment, share views or indeed object so we can understand the reasons for this and work through any changes needed.
5. If Old B is not included in the planning application, then at which point can we make comments /object/support elements such as proposed pathways through Old Barnsbury? As indicated in my responses to questions 2 and 3 above, a planning application will need to be submitted and we will ensure we consult fully on proposals so we work in partnership with resident and not diametric opposition , which would not help any of us in bringing about positive changes to homes and the blocks more generally.
I positively encourage residents to involve local councillors in the proposals as we see Islington Council as a key stakeholder and partner as we all strive to ensure that we maximise the scope for bringing about the positive changes to Old Barnsbury promised in the Landlord Offer, and to meet the challenges and opportunities associated with climate change based on a passive, fabric first approach.
The next time you hear from us will be when we send out the newsletter with the dates of consultation.
Thanks so much again for giving me the opportunity to provide details of the next stages in the transformation of Old Barnsbury!
Barnsbury Estate Leaseholders Group 