Resident's opinions wanted- a new home for yet another architect

[Iain Meek]

Resident's opinions wanted

I am trying to get myself back onto the estate but I am not eligible for social housing.  I was living in a privately rented flat in Hatfield House but my landlady decided to move back in and I had to move away.  I really liked living on the estate- especially because of the pool and the Social club (now sadly closed)

I am interested in building a small single storey house for myself with a garden and a garage on the triangular bit of land between Hatfield House and Baltic Street West- see map below- probably because I am an architect and that is what we do.  The Corporation are not eager to let me build a unit for myself which I would give to the Corporation for social housing when I drop dead.

I am curious to know if the current residents would think this wonderful or dreadful.

Iain Meek DipArch RIAS RIBA FBIS
[e-mail]
07960 173903

ps

Even if the residents are happy with my proposal, the Corporation would have to decide if they would let me have the site, how much, whether something could pass all the planning and Listed Building regulations, etc, etc, etc.

[David Kreikmeier-Watson]

Hi Iain

Sorry you've had to leave Golden Lane - but don't worry, as soon as the new Housing Bill is passed the property from every vacated social tenancy will be up for sale on the private market. And given that most social tenants won't be able to afford the market rent payable if the entire household has an income of more than £40,000 there will be quite a few properties up for grabs. Possibly even enough to cause a fall in GLE prices............

I'm afraid I would object to a personal house and garden - however I wouldn't object to a six story point block that could possibly be built as a sympathetic extension to Hatfield House (sharing lifts etc. which would reduce costs for both the new building and existing tenants)?

I would suggest you look at forming a Housing Co-operative to both build, own and manage the block rather than have any involvement with the City Housing Department. Well, you've been to enough meetings on GLE to know why...........

David Kreikmeier-Watson

[Iain Meek]

Dear David

Many thanks for responding.

Sorry to read that the new Housing Bill is likely to completely change the character of the estate- and of London.

Sorry also to find that you would object to a personal house & garden.  Should I assume that you would object even if the Corporation agreed that I only build on the basis that it returns to social housing (at a market rent) after my death?

By a great coincidence, I am already involved in a housing co-operative that would be very interested in building a 6 storey point block subject to obtaining funding and finding a site.  Where do you see there being space for such a block?  The East end of Hatfield already has the school site lined up for new flats and the West end has no space that I am aware of.  Responses from the Corporation suggest that nothing new would be permitted within the estate as it is all listed.  

'My' site is outside the listed boundary although it is inside the estate boundary.  The mature trees prevent anything over a single storey, in my opinion, so there is only space for a single dwelling.  The Corporation has yet to propose anything other than spending £222,400 on landscaping 'my' site but I have already pointed out that the South-facing garden on the other side of Hatfield House is far more attractive and used by many already.  The Corporation will probably flog it off to the highest bidder if they decide it is surplus land.

I hope to encourage support for my proposal which may be the best for the site and for the estate- and to be in by Xmas 2016!

[Iain Meek]

I hope to build a well-designed, single storey home for myself and my daughter.  My intention is that it would greatly improve the appearance of Baltic Street West without detracting in the slightest from the grade 2 listed Hatfield House.  My plan is too retain the the mature trees and to add masses of planting in a garden and along the boundaries of the site with a public water feature at the West/ Goswell Road end.  However I am an architect and others may disagree with my opinion of 'well-designed'.  My aim is to win a RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) gold medal for whatever I do build.

Thank you, Political Mother, for your support for my proposal.

[Iain Meek]

Thank you, Political Mother.

The land now all belongs to the Corporation.  

I had hoped that they would welcome a privately funded improvement but they seem less than eager to let go of the land from the housing account despite leaving it fallow for over 50 years.  They originally suggested that they would only let it go for social housing, hence my offer to gift it to them for social housing on my death.  Their current position may be to sell to the highest bidder so possibly unaffordable for me.

I hope to find support amongst the existing residents to encourage the Corporation to move forward with some housing on the site- even if it is not for me, it will be one more little solution to London's housing shortage.

[Iain Meek]

Hmmmm….sounds like a minefield.

Looks as if I will have to pursue the 'straightforward' buy as surplus against astronomical opposition and build a jewel-like home to satisfy the planners and bring a smile to the face of all in the City.

Please do let other existing residents know as I feel sure that £224,000 could be better spent refurbishing the existing buildings.

[Paul Lincoln]

Although this is, as you say, a minefield, you have triggered a very interesting debate about housing provision in the neighbourhood.  There is an acute need for housing not only that is genuinely affordable at reasonable rents but also housing for many of the people currently living in Golden Lane Estate whether they are freeholders or leaseholders.  The generation that is currently 60+ may well have very positive memories of shared housing in a private flat or as part of a housing co-op; there is some growing interest in co-housing; and there will undoubtedly be a shortage of housing which offers different levels of care and support.  The focus across London at the moment appears to be on two bedroom luxury apartments, high-end student accommodation and nothing else.  It would be good to generate more of a debate on what might be next.

The land adjacent to the site that you are looking at is due to be developed by both the City and Islington as housing and a new school.  Maybe it is worth seeing if all of the housing is being developed or if there is room for your own project.

The other area which has been empty of at least fifty years is the L-shaped plot surrounding (and I think owned by) the Hat and Feathers pub.  That would be a great place of a co-housing project.

[Iain Meek]

Thank you, Paul Lincoln.  

Current Government policy seems to be to permit only the wealthiest to remain living in central London and, as both David Kreikmeier-Watson and Political Mother have pointed out, to drive everyone else out.  Perhaps the solution is to lobby our MP Mark Fields who already has some interesting ideas published in City AM?- see http://markfieldmp.com/news-a-articles/time-for-radicalism-to-addre...

The Richard Cloudesley School site is already taken and I am waiting to hear when the planning application goes in.  I would be very surprised if any land is left over which is not already allocated to the school or the new housing.  Still nothing on Islington's Planning website- http://www.islington.gov.uk/services/planning/applications/comment/...

The Hat & Feathers site looks very interesting but I do not have the funds to carry that project out on my own.  As it has been vacant for many years, I have always assumed that the owner does not want to sell and may be waiting for a huge offer- which means more "two bedroom luxury apartments, high-end student accommodation and nothing else." 

I just want a small home with wheelchair access and a garden.