Town Hall set to make decision on controversial Holloway Road office block

Proposals for a controversial Holloway Road office block opposed by its neighbours are back with Islington’s planning committee, after councillors asked for further discussions with Transport for London (TfL) on the plans.

Local residents supported by punk guitarist Viv Albertine at a September planning meeting, had “vehemently” opposed the plans.

Concerns have been voiced over the impact of Paul Anthony House’s bin collections on an “award-winning, family friendly street.”

Councillors suggested in September that the transport network was being “inconsistent” in its opposition to the red route being used for this purpose, as other blocks currently do it.

However, TfL has now restated its need for neighbouring residential streets to be used by the block, citing the impact a loading bay could have on bus routes in the area.

A residents’ group objection reads in the planning report: “[We] object to deliveries and refuse collections being made from Fairbridge Road.

“Holloway Road is a busy road and other business here take deliveries from the front and deposit their rubbish at the front.

“[There is] concern that these deliveries would cause noise, pollution and traffic danger to neighbouring residents.

“The bus stop on Holloway Road should be moved to accommodate servicing on Holloway Road.”

TfL’s refusal to accommodate residents has set the scene for another clash between residents and developer at the Town Hall’s forthcoming planning meeting on 18 November.

TfL said: “It is not appropriate to establish a new loading bay in an existing bus lane on the TfL highway, reducing bus priority and prioritising private
vehicle movements over public transport.

“We would also be very concerned about misuse of a new on-street loading bay at this location for pick up and drop off at the Overground station, which we definitely would not support.

“It would not make sense for us to express support now for something we
believe is likely to require extensive (and expensive) enforcement to work in practice.”