Highgate overlooked as a neighbourhood

While we welcome this Draft New Local Plan and appreciate the work that has been done on it, we would like to draw your attention to one issue that has been overlooked. Our neighbourhood Highgate is under the governance of both Camden and Haringey. The maps in this plan, show only that part of Highgate which is in Camden, and thereby considerably reduces its significance as a neighbourhood.  It is our impression that we are marginalised by both and never considered holistically. We should like the plan to specifically promote working with neighbouring boroughs and, in the case of Highgate, promote working closely with Haringey.

We suspect Kilburn, and its High street, suffer similar problems.

We would like to comment on three specific sections of the proposed Plan.

Chapter 11: NE1 the Natural Environment

While light pollution is mentioned, there does not appear to be any specific policy to counter it. Light pollution includes street lights, sports ground lights, security lighting and the spillage from windows, roof lights and glazed spaces such as extensions associated with housing. We are aware of the detrimental effects on nightlife, including problems for bats and the obscuring of the night sky.

11.17

The sides of railways, sheds and sidings, can also be a haven for wildlife. Camden should include TfL as one of the partners to work with, and the overground rail network should be included in the ecological network. Although it is mentioned in the SINC appendix, it is not specified in the main plan.

The view of St Pauls from Waterlow Park should be protected as should the view over London from Hillway

11.25

There should be a green corridor from Hampstead Heath across to Highgate Cemetery and Waterlow Park.

An area like  the Holly Lodge Estate, with its large gardens and a green spaces, should have its own ecological designation as should areas like the former Highgate Common – Pond Square, The Reservoir, the copse attached to 46 Highgate West Hill and the open spaces attached to the houses in The Grove and South Grove, are all that is left of the common, enclosed 200 years ago. To have an ecological designation would help enhance what remains.

NE2 Nature Recovery Network Biodiversity

We recognise the limitations of the Environment Act when it comes to householder applications and small developments. We would like the Plan to promote the development of tactics of persuasion for these excluded groups, to encourage them to follow the principles of the Camden Plan. Such tactics could include publicity, education, and incentives, and examples, eg in Camden’s own parks.

The Plan does not recognise the cumulative effect of many smaller developments; for instance the rear extensions or the felling of trees and shrubs, in neighbouring houses. Policies should be developed to address this problem.