NEWS & VIEWS

Help us map Highgate’s Wildlife Corridors

Help us map Highgate’s Wildlife Corridors

Our project to increase Highgate's biodiversity began with a meeting of all the neighbourhood's major landowners (schools, parks, Parkland Walk, Heath Hands, Omved Gardens, the Golf Club etc) back in September 2022. Inspiring speakers told us about what they were...

Earth Day Biodiversity Brainstorm inspires

Earth Day Biodiversity Brainstorm inspires

As part of local Earth Day celebrations, LUX is hosted a Biodiversity Brainstorm on Saturday 22 April from 2–4pm. We heard from local activists about projects to support and increase our biodiversity. 2–3pm: Speakers: Jeska Harrington Gould, Growing Green Simon Olley,...

No further cuts to North London Buses

No further cuts to North London Buses

TfL have announced that, due to additional funding provided by the Mayor after hard bargaining with the Government, they will now not need to carry out the changes to the 214 bus route described below. Read their full report here. For clarity, we should add that this...

More cuts to North London  bus services proposed

More cuts to North London bus services proposed

Transport for London (TfL) have warned that bus services in central London could be cut by up to 20% under new proposals in response to savings demanded by the Government. TfL are currently consulting on the proposals which include the removal of 250 buses and 16...

Formal Notice of AGM

Formal Notice of AGM

HIGHGATE NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM     Notice of Annual General Meeting  Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Highgate Neighbourhood Forum will be held at Jacksons Lane Studio 1 at 6.30 for 7pm on Thursday 26 May 2022 for the following purposes: To...

Traffic update

Traffic update

Proposed changes to Highgate's bus services View a summary and map of the proposed changes to Highgate's bus services. These proposed changes include removing the 271 bus turnaround in Highgate Village. Expect more e-scooters in the area Camden Council is trialling...

Sink holes in Highgate

Sink holes in Highgate

Residents might well have seen the sink holes that appeared after the rain last  Monday - one on Hampstead Lane and one on Highgate Hill. https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/sinkhole-hampstead-lane-highgate-8153724 This blog asks you to let us know of any other major...

Springtime in Highgate: April 2021 newsletter

Springtime in Highgate: April 2021 newsletter

Highgate Festival 19-27 June The exciting programme for this year's Festival is growing, with a mixture of walks, trails and open gardens - people can enjoy themselves outdoors, hearing and learning about the history of Highgate, plus there's lots of on-line content...

How to contact the Councils

How to contact the Councils

We thought it would be useful to ask our two Councils (via Cllr Liz Morris for Haringey and Cllr Anna Wright for Camden) how they preferred to be contacted for help or information and this is how they replied: Haringey If the matter is urgent, use the Call Centre line...

Eco action in Highgate

Eco action in Highgate

Transition Highgate and HNF have been granted Bounce Forward funding from the Transition Network to take forward a project delivering local climate action. The three core elements of the project are; a local pop-up info and exchange space, Community Top 10 local...

2021 update on CIL spending

2021 update on CIL spending

The Covid Pandemic has had an impact on Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) spending in both Haringey and Camden and will do so for some time to come. In Haringey, they have decided to postpone consulting on Round 2 Neighbourhood CIL projects until 2022. This is...

Haringey’s Climate Change Action Plan

Haringey’s Climate Change Action Plan

Haringey Climate Forum is a coalition of community groups interested in local action on climate change. Its website is at: https://haringeyclimateforum.org. To join the mailing list contact: info@haringeyclimateforum.org. Imagine electric cars, state of the art buses...

Mapping Covid-19 in Highgate

Mapping Covid-19 in Highgate

Covid-19 cases have been thankfully low in Highgate and show no signs at this stage of rising as they are in other parts of the country. This blog shows how to find data and keep weekly tabs on it. The government publishes a “Weekly national Influenza and COVID19...

The difference CIL makes…

The difference CIL makes…

Arts and education are the driving forces which make Lauderdale House a living breathing historic building. So, when three years’ worth of Lottery money for outreach came through in 2016 we were excited to be able to offer free weekly creative sessions to the young...

Saving Queens Wood’s ancient oaks

Saving Queens Wood’s ancient oaks

A strange encampment has been spotted in Highgate, not travellers, not hippies, but SHIFT, Stop Home Insurers Felling Trees. They are trying to protect four oak trees on the edge of Queen's Wood. The Insurance Company, AXA, insists that cracking is a house and...

How to Zoom

How to Zoom

How To Use Zoom Zoom software allows you to join free face-to-face online meetings for up to 100 participants with free sessions initially limited to 40 minutes.* This page explains how to join a Zoom meeting as a guest. What You Need Before you can participate in any...

Highgate Houseparty!

Highgate Houseparty!

The last two weeks have been highly unusual, and we wanted to celebrate all the fantastic volunteering efforts that are happening in Highgate in light of the Covid19 epidemic.  We contacted Boogaloo Radio Station and asked if they would host a “Lockdown Party” and...

March 2020 newsletter

March 2020 newsletter

Highgate Covid19 Mutual Aid Groups In light of the current pandemic, many people will need to self isolate and will need assistance. There are a number of grassroot initiatives for help and support popping up, and we encourage everyone to link with their local streets...

Does aircraft noise bother you?

Does aircraft noise bother you?

It's possibly odd to be noting this when flight numbers are being cut but the planes and their noise will be back in due course! The 'North London Aircraft Noise Campaign' has been formed and will be researching the scale of the issue and campaigning - with other...

New multi use active outdoor zone

New multi use active outdoor zone

An exciting project to transform the current makeshift BMX tracks next to Highgate Library on Shepherds Hill into a multi use loop and active outdoor zone for children and young people has been approved to go forward into Round 1 of Haringey CIL spending...

Natural play space for Parkland Walk

Natural play space for Parkland Walk

A project to create a natural play space on the Parkland Walk (next to the Miltons entrance) has been approved to go forward into Round 1 CIL spending in Haringey this Spring. Taking a multi-generational approach, it will offer opportunities to sit, watch...

Replacing Highgate street trees

Replacing Highgate street trees

A project - led by HNF Trees Lead Louise Lewis - to replace street trees in Highgate which have been felled for various reasons has been approved by the Haringey Planning Policy team. It will go forward into the first round of Haringey Community Infrastructure (CIL)...

Highgate Coffee and Computers

Highgate Coffee and Computers

Do you need help with your smartphone, tablet or computer?  Drop in for free one-to-one advice at our friendly sessions, where we share our challenges and learn from each other over a cup of coffee and biscuits. Highgate Coffee & Computers was set up in 2013 under...

February 2020 newsletter

February 2020 newsletter

Dear neighbours Welcome to this month's newsletter highlighting some of what has been going on in and around Highgate. A few key topics are listed below or for a more in depth view, either click on one of the news articles or visit For Highgate. We are always looking...

Visit Highgate info boards

Visit Highgate info boards

During your next visit to a historic centre it would be very surprising if you were not greeted by information boards directing you to local points of interest and enriching your understand what it is you are seeing.  That is unless you take your next holiday in...

Waterlow barbecues: your views sought

Waterlow barbecues: your views sought

Waterlow Park is enjoyed by many visitors, both local and from afar, who come for a wide range of reasons from dog walking, to sporting activities, walking and enjoying the views or perhaps to visit historic Lauderdale House and its cafe, or Lux; a major European...

Planet A – an eco-action plan for Highgate

Planet A – an eco-action plan for Highgate

Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee (HCAAC) was set up under the terms of the legislation creating Conservation Areas, the 1967 Civic Amenities Act. Local authorities were given powers to establish them to operate in individual Conservation Areas. Under the...

Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee (HCAAC)

Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee (HCAAC)

Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee (HCAAC) was set up under the terms of the legislation creating Conservation Areas, the 1967 Civic Amenities Act. Local authorities were given powers to establish them to operate in individual Conservation Areas. Under the...

Blue Plaque campaign for Rabbi Schonfeld

Blue Plaque campaign for Rabbi Schonfeld

Highgate has a number of official blue plaques – Charles Dickens, Mary Kingsley, John Betjman and AE Housman for example, are all within a stone's throw of each other in the village.  But now we are hoping to get another one, for someone who isn't perhaps as famous as...

Camden’s new Highgate ward

Camden’s new Highgate ward

Boundary Commission proposals suggest a single dedicated councillor for Highgate in Camden. Do you support this? Just as population movements require regular revisions to the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies, so too with the boundaries of Council wards. ...

Re-imagining the High Street event

Re-imagining the High Street event

Highgate of course has two high streets – the Village High Street and Archway Road – both of which need support in this challenging retail climate. The decline of the High Street makes regular London and national news, with many reports documenting the issues and...

Disruption of 143 Bus

Disruption of 143 Bus

Yesterday saw plenty of people looking confused at bus stops about the non-appearance of the 143. This is just to warn that the bus is scheduled to be re-routed along Archway Road rather than via the village for the rest of the week. The deviation is caused by Thames...

Queen’s Wood Tree Walk

Queen’s Wood Tree Walk

Continuing our programme of Walks and Talks on Highgate Trees we had a fascinating ramble in Queen's Wood led by Jeff Duckett, our local expert on trees and, more specifically, the botany of trees. It was that time in April when we had hail in the morning, so feared...

Notice of 2019 AGM

Notice of 2019 AGM

The 2019 Highgate Neighbourhood Forum annual general meeting will be held on 7:30pm on 6 June in the Long Gallery of Lauderdale House. As well as reviewing reports, we'll be electing the Committee for the coming year. More information. Anyone who lives or works in the...

Highgate’s creaking buses

Some of you will have noticed a couple of different (quieter, cleaner, newer) buses on the 271 route in recent days. We are hoping that this is the start of the upgrading of buses running through Highgate that the Forum has been campaigning for. TfL has promised that...

Re-imagining our High Street

Re-imagining our High Street

If you have an interest or ideas about the future of the High Street – this free event is for you! Short talks by Jamie Dean, GLA High Streets and Jan Kattein, architect followed by a community ideas workshop led by Debbie Bourne, Transition Kentish Town. What will be...

Spring news and events

Spring news and events

Re-imagining our High Streets event on 9 May We need your ideas about the future of our high streets at a workshop from 6-8pm in the Upper Gallery at Lauderdale House. HNF Community Workshop led by Debbie Bourne of Transition Kentish Town, with short talks from Jamie...

January 2019 newsletter

January 2019 newsletter

Happy New Year everyone!Longer CPZ hours on Camden side of Highgate Camden has announced the extension of CPZ hours on some streets in Highgate. Find out more and tell us what you think here. The Forum will now be working with Haringey, who have said they’d only look...

Longer CPZ hours in part of Highgate

Camden has announced an extension to the CPZ hours of some streets in Highgate. This follows the consultation that we wrote about last year. Camden set out the results of its consultation and plans “CA-D and CA-U Controlled Parking Zone Reviews” in November. The...

Forum planning policy

Forum planning policy

Planning – how we make Highgate a vibrant place, protecting its unique character and heritage while encouraging beneficial change - is at the heart of what the Forum is about. The Forum was established six years ago specifically to draw up a Neighbourhood Plan. After...

Neighbourhood Planners London

Neighbourhood Planners London

We are fortunate in Highgate to be surrounded by other Neighbourhood Forums – in Crouch End, Dartmouth Park, Kentish Town and Hampstead – all working to make positive change in their local area and working together around issues such as getting better local bus...

Highgate Tree Group

Highgate Tree Group

Climate change and pollution have certainly changed things in Highgate and not always for the worse. Did you know that with less soot and more nitrogen in the air, we now have far more lichens and mosses on our trees and that the warmer winters mean that the mimosa...

Get involved in bringing Playtime to Highgate

Get involved in bringing Playtime to Highgate

The good news is that Haringey Council has given us the go-ahead to develop two of our priority CIL projects – improvements to the BMX track next to Highgate Library and the creation of a nature-inspired play area at the Highgate end of the Parkland Walk. The next...

Robert the Bruce – the Highgate connection

Robert the Bruce – the Highgate connection

Not many people know this but just over 700 years ago, in 1305, Robert the Bruce was a temporary resident of Highgate! He was staying in the hunting lodge which belonged at that time to the Earl of Gloucester, situated on what is now the 12th green of Highgate Golf...

CIL spending in Highgate

CIL spending in Highgate

Now we have a Neighbourhood Plan, 25% of funds raised from the Community Infrastructure Levy comes direct to the community to spend – hooray! Unfortunately – and perhaps unsurprisingly - it’s not quite as simple as that. So here’s a quick briefing on the current...

November 2018 newsletter – your help needed

November 2018 newsletter – your help needed

Hello everyone - there's lots going on this month, so please read on! Camden CIL consultation As many of you will know, now we have a Neighbourhood Plan in Highgate, 25% of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies collected from developers by the councils must be...

What’s the point of single yellow lines?

What’s the point of single yellow lines?

Single yellow lines make little sense to us given the pressure on parking in Highgate. Either the spaces should be for parking or not? If they are for parking, they should be round the clock – and the community should decide whether they are for shoppers, residents or...

Tell us how new bus routes would help you

Tell us how new bus routes would help you

We listened to what you had to say about new bus routes to connect Highgate to its neighbours to the east and west and have come up with a new route (see map above). Do let us know what you think about it in the comment box below. We would also like to hear your ideas...

CLEAN UP HIGHGATE

CLEAN UP HIGHGATE

“Highgate's quite nice apart from the rubbish isn't it?” Comment from an overseas tourist “I walked through Basildon the other day and Oh My God, I couldn't believe it, it was cleaner than Highgate!” Comment from a resident “I'm visually impaired and it frightens me...

Public forum on Jacksons Lane refurbishment

Public forum on Jacksons Lane refurbishment

Having received Stage 1 Arts Council funding to develop their plans for refurbishment and improving their facilities, Jacksons Lane is holding a public forum on 1 November 2018 between 11am and 8pm. All are welcome to attend the drop-in session and talk to Jacksons...

Waterlow Park Trust Advisory Group AGM

Waterlow Park Trust Advisory Group AGM

HNF Chair Alicia Pivaro is the guest speaker at the Waterlow Park Trust's AGM on 11 October. Alicia will be speaking on 'the power of parks. Refreshments will be served.

October 2018 newsletter

October 2018 newsletter

Hello everyone! CIL money to enhance Holly Lodge Community Centre Holly Lodge CC has been granted £6,850 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies by Camden Council. This will provide improved facilities for the Centre, including computers for homework club, improved...

CIL money for Holly Lodge Community Centre

CIL money for Holly Lodge Community Centre

Holly Lodge Community Centre has been granted the following from the Community Investment Levy with the full support of local councillors: Hearing loop kit -                                                                                  £264 inc VAT Hearing loop...

Crime prevention event

Crime prevention event

A crime prevention event is being held on Saturday 13 October (10am - 4pm) at Hornsey Library (Haringey Park, Crouch End). You can meet and speak with local Police officers from Highgate and Crouch End Safer Neighbourhood Team and meet various providers of services to...

September 2018 HNF newsletter

September 2018 HNF newsletter

Hello everyone We have a new website, thanks to a Ward Grant from Haringey Council, awarded by our local Councillors. We hope it will make it easier for you to see what we are doing, join in or propose your own ideas. Take a look and let us know what you think on...

TfL consultation – 271 night buses

TfL consultation – 271 night buses

TfL has launched a consultation about reducing various bus services. The bit that affects Highgate is the proposal to withdraw the 271 night service on all nights. The Forum would like to hear your views and would encourage anyone with strong views to respond...

Accident black spots

Accident black spots

Reducing speeding and improving road safety are high priorities for the Forum. This is a request to all residents of Highgate to help us identify the danger spots. Please respond with your comments below and in particular let us know of any damage that is still...

HGV weight limits – an update

HGV weight limits – an update

A persisting concern of Highgate residents is the large number of heavy lorries (HGVs) passing through the area, particularly along Highgate Hill and North Hill. One of the Forum’s members (Richard Webber) has produced a paper on this topic. The paper has been...

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