The decision on the plans will be made at Haringey Council's Civic Centre

Crouch End residents outraged over ‘eyesore’ flats plan for former bar

by Flora Drury Friday, May 11, 2012
8:21 PM

Battle lines are once again being drawn between residents and developers in Crouch End over “eyesore” plans for a former bar.

The amended plans for the scheme in Park Road include a communal roof garden and a penthouse flat – taking the total to nine flats and effectively adding a fourth floor.

But residents in View Crescent, who were not happy with the original designs for the building which were waved through last year, are up in arms at the enlarged plans.

Objections outlining concerns about increased noise, pollution and a loss of privacy for neighbouring homes have been lodged with Haringey Council’s planning department.

In one letter, resident Catherine Mason said she was “surprised to find myself once again writing to Haringey planning department to object” to plans for the same site, saying the new version “is not offering any significant improvements to the previous designs”.

She added: “Not only does this destroy the privacy afforded to us and dominate the light in View Crescent, it is in stark contrast and not in keeping with the surrounding houses of Park Road.”

Her neighbour Michael de Lemos described the red-brick design – vastly different from the current Victorian, two-storey former home of Bar Apogee – “a true eyesore”.

He wrote: “It has no communal space other than an ill-conceived roof terrace – highly unsuitable in this area – overlooking the sun lawns of a public outdoor swimming pool.”

The scheme will go before the planning committee in due course.