Earl Haig Hall, the former Biritish Legion buliding in Elder Avenue, Crouch End. Photo: Tony Gay

Plans submitted to demolish Crouch End ‘landmark’

by Flora Drury Thursday, October 4, 2012
7:00 AM

A campaign against proposals to demolish a much-loved Crouch End community hall so it can be turned into houses is “inevitable”, according to one local resident.

Andrew Goldstone believes residents will rally against plans to demolish the Earl Haig Memorial Hall and replace it with four large townhouses, as outlined in plans submitted to Haringey Council by owners City and Westminster Developments on Monday.

The application is the third relating to the site which has been submitted to council planners in the last six months – although, crucially, all three have been submitted by different parties with very different ambitions for the former home of the Royal British Legion.

Local residents, who had hoped to buy the Elder Avenue venue to keep it for the community but were outbid at auction by the current owners, submitted a planning application to confirm its continuing use as a community facility – which the council approved in July.

The second application Haringey received for Earl Haig came just over a month ago, from Antic Ltd – a company which hopes to turn it into a pub. This application has been met with stiff opposition from residents, 124 of whom have signed a petition against the proposal which comes before the licencing committee next Thursday.

This latest application has been met with an equally frosty reception.

Mr Goldstone, who is part of the group which wants to keep the building for the community, said: “The application has come as a complete surprise, with no prior consultation whatsoever.

“To lose this much-loved landmark to housing would be a huge mistake – but nor should it become a pub.

“Local people are crying out for a community facility. There is a big demand and a viable business plan for that to happen. That opporutnity would be lost forever if it is knocked down.

“A big campaign by local people is inevitable.”