Jeremy Corbyn has backed Islington residents in the Save Archway Campus campaign against Seven Capital’s proposed development.
Seven Capital’s proposal, submitted to Islington Council in August 2024, aims to develop the currently unused site into a 27-storey tower which will provide 242 student rooms and 178 new homes.
Residents and homeowners in the area expressed concerns the proposed building does not tackle the housing issues facing the borough, and Islington North MP Corbyn signalled his objection to the development as well.
Corbyn said: “In no way, in a borough with over 15,000 families in housing need and where of existing tenancies around 40% live in social housing, can this be called an appropriate development.
“I cannot support this application in its current form and wish to register my strongest objection to it, and I would ask to appear at the planning committee when it is considered so I can amplify these points.”
Members of the Save Archway Campus campaign highlight on their website they are not a ‘Not In My Backyard’ campaign wanting to stop all development of the site, but a ‘Yes In My Backyard’ campaign aiming to focus the development on social, not student, housing.
The Office for National Statistics reported that as of Septemeber 2024, average house prices in Islington have increased above the Greater London average, and monthly rent prices have increased 12.8% compared to the Greater London average of 9.3%.
Director of the Archway Academy freehold and flat owner, Patricia Walby said: “The price of property has risen astronomically.
“It means you see families being broken up because parents have already bought their house, but their children can’t afford to buy in the area.
“All of our children have moved out because they can’t or they’re still living at home at the age of 35-40.
“We want the emphasis to be about more genuinely affordable and social housing, particularly social housing, and that site the last large site in Islington that is for development really should be, revisited to maximize the amount of social housing.”
Concerns about the historical importance and possible conservation risks of developing the site have also been raised.
Archway Campus was built between 1877 and 1879 as the Holborn and Finsbury Union Workhouse Infirmary, becoming part of Whittington Hospital in 1948.
In the heritage statement of Seven Capital’s proposal carried out by Montagu Evans, it was concluded there would be some damage conservation area but it would not be substantial.
The consultation period with residents has ended and Islington Council has not yet publish the results of those discussions.
A public meeting is being held at 7pm on Tuesday 19 November at Hargrave Hall Community Centre to discuss the development of Archway Campus meeting the needs of the local area.
Islington Council declined to comment.
Seven Capital were contacted for a response.
Image: Patricia Walby
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