Jeremy Corbyn warns new Archway tower could set precedent

The MP for Islington North is among opponents to a scheme which would see parts of the former Archway Hospital site, which has been vacant for the past decade, torn down to make way for housing.

Developer SevenCapital would repurpose some of the old hospital buildings, while also constructing three new housing blocks and an 85m tower for student accommodation.

The former Labour leader has warned that the development would dominate Archway’s skyline, standing 25 metres taller than Archway Tower.

A 27-storey tower and three new housing blocks are planned for the site (Image: GRID Architects and Níall McLaughlin Architects)

• READ MORE - Curry house wins Asian Restaurant award thanks to 'staff dedication'

Speaking at a meeting organised by opponents to the scheme last night (November 19), he said: “I have never liked Archway Tower – I always thought it was too big and that it creates a terrible wind-tunnel effect.

“This new tower that is proposed is going to be a complete eyesore on the area. It is not an iconic structure. It is something that is put up purely to make a great deal of money.

“If you build it, then it becomes the norm and that will be the benchmark for another tower somewhere else in Archway Road.”

Corbyn also disputed SevenCapital’s claims that more than half of the homes provided by the scheme will be “affordable”, which can range in price from anywhere between 50% and 80% of market rents.

“I’m very suspicious of the words 'affordable housing',” he explained. “I always want to know the actual level of social housing.

“I look at the latest plan that has been put together by the developer and it simply does not meet the needs of our community.

“Where is the very high volume of social housing in the totality of the development?”

Under current plans, there would be 91 'affordable' homes on the site, compared to 87 to be sold at market rates, but only 58 of these homes would be for social rent. The development would also provide 242 student rooms.

“If you add up the units on the whole site including the student tower the amount of social housing is just 14%,” Corbyn said.

Jeremy Corbyn has called for the scheme to have more social housing (Image: Newsquest)

However, he added that even if the tower had been proposed for social housing and not for student rooms, he would oppose the scheme, describing it as an “incredibly ugly development”.

The former Labour leader has vowed to take his concerns to Islington’s planning committee when the application comes forward for a decision – but claimed national planning laws were often too lax to prevent unwanted developments.

• READ MORE - Hundreds join fight to save post office 'at the heart of the community'

“The Labour government keeps talking about taking red-tape away, but planning law has already gone far too far on the presumption to approve,” he said.

“It should instead be about the objective needs of the community.”

Developer SevenCapital told this paper last month that their scheme would provide “high quality, modern residential accommodation and student rooms alongside the restoration of historic buildings”.

A spokesperson added: “The submitted scheme will make a lasting, positive contribution to the community and wider area through public realm enhancements and the provision of flexible community and commercial space.”