Highbury residents to a Ford homes on old car garage site

By Clemmie Jackson-Stops

PLANS to redevelop the Highbury Ford garage into 100 homes are causing controversy amongst local residents, community groups and Islington’s historical societies.

The redevelopment of the Ford car dealership on Highbury Corner into residential and commercial buildings was announced last week. It is part of the wider aim of improving the Highbury Corner area and is likely to begin in the next few months.
The garage, which is set to move to Stamford Hill, will have its last day of trading in April. According to Lee Pemberton, manager at the Ford dealership, local customers have reacted positively to the plans: “Some of our customers were concerned about where they would go to have their cars looked at but once they realised we would only be down the road they were happy. On the whole we have had a positive reaction from locals.”
Notting Hill Housing, who have bought the land from Ford hope to begin work on the development as soon as planning negotiations with the council are complete. Rachel Bhageerutty, communications manager at Notting Hill Housing said: “We are delighted to have this new project as there was strong competition for the land. The plans for the site are not yet complete but there will be both shared and full ownership housing available. What is certain is that it will be thoughtfully designed and in keeping with the local area. We are keen to make sure the local residents are happy with the plans.”
However, the news was met with a mixed reaction from local groups, keen to ensure the interests of residents are protected.
Martin Jones, chairman of the Highbury Fields Association, said: “We have been campaigning for the regeneration of Highbury Corner for over 15 years now but this development is not necessarily what we want. You can take it for granted that we, the local residents, don’t immediately say ‘wow’ when we hear of these new developments.”
Mr Jones believes more residential accommodation will place too much pressure on local services: “The problem with Islington is that it has the densest population of any borough in Britain and is also the smallest in London. There is very little green space and the facilities just cannot cope with the increasing number of people living here.”
“Just 400 yards away from Highbury Corner there is another new development being built. We also have over 2000 homes going into Arsenal and another new building going up on Holloway Road.”
However, Peter Powell, chairman of Islington’s Archaeology and History Society, has welcomed news of the redevelopment: “I have lived here for 36 years and thought it was such a shame when they knocked down the lovely Edwardian cottages that were there before the garage. I can’t say Highbury Motors has ever turned me on.”
Mr Powell believes the planning department at the council will take local and architectural issues into consideration: “It is still early days but I have spoken to certain people at the council and they have agreed to keep it on a human scale. This means the building will not be too tall or too bulky. There are some nice modern buildings around here so it should fit in.”