The work of the Angel Association, AGM report

We welcome the continuing support of our members and friends, and also our partnership working with other St Peter’s Ward organisations notably the Arlington Association and the Duncan Terrace Association.

We continue to look at planning applications for scale and appropriateness, and comment on many. Our area benefits from its historic buildings and street patterns, reflected in the Conservation Area designations and the large number of listed buildings. We try to avoid being nimby and recognize that localities like ours change all the time, especially given central London’s strong growth. We have good relations with Islington Council and with the Islington Society, and we benefit from constructive discussions on proposed planning policy changes. We play an active role in the Ward Partnership discussions, and we value our good, constructive relationship with our three Ward Councillors.

We are particularly concerned about the Government’s policy to give relative freedom to convert business premises into housing without planning permission because Islington risks losing badly needed accommodation for local business activity. We welcome the Council’s success in getting back some control over such conversions.

With Friends of Regent’s Canal we are campaigning to get a better balance in the use of our Canal and towpath. The welcome general increase in cycling risks a less welcome conflict between cyclists and walkers on the towpath. The Canal and Rivers Trust (what was British Waterways) is encouraging greater use of the canal and moorings, but this can, and does, cause problems with pollution and noise especially in relatively enclosed areas such as the canal cutting along Noel Rd and Vincent Terrace. So with FORC and local residents we continue our engagement with the Trust and Council to get better management of canal and towpath use. And we market the Association at the annual canal festival in September.

As we all know building proceeds apace both at City Road Basin with the tall towers, and with the redevelopment of Packington Estate. Unfinished business includes achieving maximum public access around the Basin and making sure the Boat Club’s use of the water is protected. We have joined in the consultation on the design of the new small parks within the Packington Estate. We have also joined with FORC to express concern about the redevelopment of Holborn Studios (on the Hackney side of the canal opposite Arlington Avenue). This is a well known photographic studios venue, provides active workspace and is a good example of historic canalside development.

Our local parks and open spaces are improving with Arlington Square being a shining example of community endeavour by the Arlington Association. We have helped in the planting of Graham St Park which, thanks to the Council, has been redesigned and greatly improved. We have arranged for a new bench here in memory of David Webb, our much loved committee member who died in 2012.

We are strong supporters of the new Friends of Vincent Terrace Gardens, promoted by Jennet Eyre and Eleanor Wilson, who are working with Greenspace to improve the area’s planting and maintenance. The canal path here has been reopened after many months of closure. There are also plans, still in their early stages, to redesign the space in front of St James’ Church. We are part of the local army of guerrilla gardeners, improving and planting local places.

We liaise regularly with the Safer Neighbourhood Team, keeping up with the changes in local policing arrangements and exchanging views on mitigating crime and ASB.

Our locality benefits from the redeveloped secondary school, City of London Academy Islington(COLAi). We have had discussions with the Headteacher on how we could use our community resources and contacts to help pupils gain confidence in planning their careers. Mentoring and helping arrange work placements are examples of how we think we can help.

Our town centre is remarkably successful, continuing to expand and thrive, and with a good mix of shopping, bars and restaurants, cinemas and theatres, and with the Business Design Centre and Sadler’s Wells. The redesign of Islington Green and getting rid of the ubiquitous railings have made it a much better place. We work closely with Angel.london, our Business Improvement District organisation.

We have begun to engage regularly with TfL and LB Islington on the planning of Crossrail2, which would have a major new station at Angel Islington, coming from St Pancras and going to Dalston. Construction could start in 2020. Crossrail2 represents major investment on the scale of Crossrail1 now being built and opening in 2018. It would have significant impact on the Angel area with the opportunity to further improve the town centre, to redevelop the unloved RBS building, and link the two sides of Upper St. Issues in our continuing discussions include enhancing the character of the Angel, safeguarding valued buildings, pedestrian and traffic management, construction disruption.

The Council, however, are now consulting on radical reductions in visitor parking in our Zone B. The current ability to park after 6.30pm Mon-Fri, after 1.30pm Sat, and freely on Sun, would be abolished and replaced by controls up to 11pm every day. Allegedly this would make it easier for residents to park near their homes. The Council have provided no evidence about the problem this radical reduction in parking addresses. What it would do is reduce visitors to the Angel area, with difficult impacts on our shops, markets, restaurants, theatres and other businesses. It is an over-reaction to an unspecified issue. Consultation is via the Council’s website and ends on 7 September.

Our own website has been revamped and much improved. Thanks go to Geraldine Hackett for getting this done.

Finally, we are, very sadly, losing the wonderful services of our redoubtable Secretary, Beverley Dean. Beverley with her boundless energy and commitment has done so much to build up the Association, to keep us properly organised, and to organise social events for members. We shall greatly miss all her help and effectiveness. Susan DeMont our Treasurer is also stepping down, and we also thank Susan for all her support. David Hewitt is leaving the Committee, our many thanks to David for his work.

Eric Sorensen

Chairman, Angel Association

info@angelassociation.org

 

 

 

 

We welcome the continuing support of our members and friends, and also our partnership working with other St Peter’s Ward organisations notably the Arlington Association and the Duncan Terrace Association.

 

We continue to look at planning applications for scale and appropriateness, and comment on many. Our area benefits from its historic buildings and street patterns, reflected in the Conservation Area designations and the large number of listed buildings. We try to avoid being nimby and recognize that localities like ours change all the time, especially given central London’s strong growth. We have good relations with Islington Council and with the Islington Society, and we benefit from constructive discussions on proposed planning policy changes. We play an active role in the Ward Partnership discussions, and we value our good, constructive relationship with our three Ward Councillors.

 

We are particularly concerned about the Government’s policy to give relative freedom to convert business premises into housing without planning permission because Islington risks losing badly needed accommodation for local business activity. We welcome the Council’s success in getting back some control over such conversions.

 

With Friends of Regent’s Canal we are campaigning to get a better balance in the use of our Canal and towpath. The welcome general increase in cycling risks a less welcome conflict between cyclists and walkers on the towpath. The Canal and Rivers Trust (what was British Waterways) is encouraging greater use of the canal and moorings, but this can, and does, cause problems with pollution and noise especially in relatively enclosed areas such as the canal cutting along Noel Rd and Vincent Terrace. So with FORC and local residents we continue our engagement with the Trust and Council to get better management of canal and towpath use. And we market the Association at the annual canal festival in September.

 

As we all know building proceeds apace both at City Road Basin with the tall towers, and with the redevelopment of Packington Estate. Unfinished business includes achieving maximum public access around the Basin and making sure the Boat Club’s use of the water is protected. We have joined in the consultation on the design of the new small parks within the Packington Estate. We have also joined with FORC to express concern about the redevelopment of Holborn Studios (on the Hackney side of the canal opposite Arlington Avenue). This is a well known photographic studios venue, provides active workspace and is a good example of historic canalside development.

 

Our local parks and open spaces are improving with Arlington Square being a shining example of community endeavour by the Arlington Association. We have helped in the planting of Graham St Park which, thanks to the Council, has been redesigned and greatly improved. We have arranged for a new bench here in memory of David Webb, our much loved committee member who died in 2012.

 

We are strong supporters of the new Friends of Vincent Terrace Gardens, promoted by Jennet Eyre, who are working with Greenspace to improve the area’s planting and maintenance. The canal path here has been reopened after many months of closure. There are also plans, still in their early stages, to redesign the space in front of St James’ Church. We are part of the local army of guerrilla gardeners, improving and planting local places.

 

We liaise regularly with the Safer Neighbourhood Team, keeping up with the changes in local policing arrangements and exchanging views on mitigating crime and ASB.

 

Our locality benefits from the redeveloped secondary school, City of London Academy Islington(COLAi). We have had discussions with the Headteacher on how we could use our community resources and contacts to help pupils gain confidence in planning their careers. Mentoring and helping arrange work placements are examples of how we think we can help.

 

Our town centre is remarkably successful, continuing to expand and thrive, and with a good mix of shopping, bars and restaurants, cinemas and theatres, and with the Business Design Centre and Sadler’s Wells. The redesign of Islington Green and getting rid of the ubiquitous railings have made it a much better place. We work closely with Angel.london, our Business Improvement District organisation.

 

We have begun to engage regularly with TfL and LB Islington on the planning of Crossrail2, which would have a major new station at Angel Islington, coming from St Pancras and going to Dalston. Construction could start in 2020. Crossrail2 represents major investment on the scale of Crossrail1 now being built and opening in 2018. It would have significant impact on the Angel area with the opportunity to further improve the town centre, to redevelop the unloved RBS building, and link the two sides of Upper St. Issues in our continuing discussions include enhancing the character of the Angel, safeguarding valued buildings, pedestrian and traffic management, construction disruption.

 

The Council, however, are now consulting on radical reductions in visitor parking in our Zone B. The current ability to park after 6.30pm Mon-Fri, after 1.30pm Sat, and freely on Sun, would be abolished and replaced by controls up to 11pm every day. Allegedly this would make it easier for residents to park near their homes. The Council have provided no evidence about the problem this radical reduction in parking addresses. What it would do is reduce visitors to the Angel area, with difficult impacts on our shops, markets, restaurants, theatres and other businesses. It is an over-reaction to an unspecified issue. Consultation is via the Council’s website and ends on 7 September.

 

Our own website has been revamped and much improved. Thanks go to Geraldine Hackett for getting this done.

 

Finally, we are, very sadly, losing the wonderful services of our redoubtable Secretary, Beverley Dean. Beverley with her boundless energy and commitment has done so much to build up the Association, to keep us properly organised, and to organise social events for members. We shall greatly miss all her help and effectiveness. Susan DeMont our Treasurer is also stepping down, and we also thank Susan for all her support. David Hewitt is leaving the Committee, our many thanks to David for his work.

 

Eric Sorensen

Chairman, Angel Association

info@angelassociation.org

www.angelassocation.org.uk

July 2015

 

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