07/21 Conservation Report – July 2021

PLANNING AND CAAC

BT Street Hub in St James Square (also see BT Street Hub Application)

There have been about 180 objections in addition to the one from the Association.   The Council has refused applications for a similar application in Tottenham.

109 Fortis Green

Currently a car wash. A full planning application has been submitted for the demolition of all existing structures and redevelopment of the site to provide 10 residential units (use class C3) comprising of 6 x residential flats and 4 mews houses and 131m2 flexible commercial space in ground/lower ground floor unit, basement car parking and other associated works.

The Council has notified over 150 local residents of the application. At the time of writing, there were no comments on the Council website.

Rookfield Estate

The Council has not approved the felling of the horse chestnut tree. Instead works have been approved “to reduce tree canopy to 1m from the previous topping cuts”

Enforcement

An enforcement has been issued concerning a satellite dish which has been installed on the front elevation of a house in the Conservation Area which is contrary to Council policy.

Trees

Jonathan Popper has been welcomed as new MHFGA tree officer.  He will respond to the Council on planning applications impacting on trees.  

Shops and town centre. 

Hairdresser on the roundabout

The owner advises that the business is being sold along with the premises, but there had been a delay.

Midhurst Butchers at 2 Fortis Green

Is due to close shortly. Like the hair dresser, this is after 50 years of service to the local community.

Evelina at 56 Fortis Green Road

Closed in mid June. It is now to be a Doppio coffee shop selling coffee and related equipment.

Former Fagins at 84 Fortis Green Road

There is an application for a new shopfront and signage in connection with the new business, Organic Alley, an organic food retailer.

Former Muswell Hill Bookshop at 72 Fortis Green Road

Is to be replaced by fashion and homeware retailer LondonWorks.

Alexandra Palace

Disused railway bridge

The proposal by Historic England to demolish or modify a number of railway bridges and other structures including the bridge at the Dukes Avenue entrance to the park has proved to be very controversial.  A few weeks ago Historic England removed some pieces of railway infrastructure from the demolition list but this did not include the Dukes Avenue bridge.  In a recent development, the Secretary of State for Transport has put a halt to any demolition anywhere to allow further consideration of the options