Islington
Islington residents gained a temporary victory when they stopped an office development going ahead. Residents from Clere Street, Paul Street and Epworth Street demonstrated at Islington Town Hall against the plans by Lion Portfolio to demolish the supported housing block Castle and Fitzroy House, where many disabled and elderly people live, and replace it with yet another office block two stories higher with two new basement levels. The residents also argue that it would take 1.7 million trees to offset the carbon emissions from the office block. In addition, they are concerned about the loss of light. As one resident said:” We know it’s all about money- we don’t come into it”.
Brixton
Fight the Tower was formed in 2020 in Brixton. It finally won its campaign to have the building of Taylor Tower withdrawn in late July. Hondo Enterprises wanted to build this 20 story luxury office block on Pope’s Road. It would have stood as twice as tall as other buildings in the surrounding area. Hondo Enterprises is owned by Texas millionaire Taylor MacWilliams.
Everywhere in London property developers are putting up skyscrapers and other tall buildings, vandalising local neighbourhoods and bringing pollution and disruption to local communities. These victories will hopefully encourage others to resist the property developers’ plans.