Savetalacre Home
25.6.2021
Below are extracts from the earlier website and still of interest
Save Talacre has opposed the development of 55 flats on Dalby Street in front of the Talacre Sports Centre building. While we have been unsuccessful in stopping it being built, we have successfully pressed for changes in the agreement between the occupiers of the development and the public (in particular the Talacre Sports Centre). The main work of this campaign is therefore to ensure that the agreements are fully enforced
If the access arrangements work in the way they are described in the signed agreements, the expected costs and potential for additional costs of the owners of the flats will be extremely high. For example, we estimate that the combined service charge and ground rent for a 3 bedroom flat will be about £200 a week increasing if more resources such as extra marshals are needed to make the access arrangements safe and workable.
This we believe means there is a danger that the "Owners" will neglect to carry out the terms in the agreement and/or will persuade Camden to change its terms. The "Owners" who should bear the main brunt of the onerous obligations in the agreement are the owners of the private flats. However, the obligations extend to others with an "interest in the land" eg the freeholder, the GP Practice (ie probably the NHS) and the Registered Social Landlord (responsible for the Affordable Flats)
The purpose of this web site is to provide facts about the development so that
anyone contemplating buying a flat or lending to the development is aware of the onerous clauses in the agreement with the Council
Camden Council will ensure that the terms of the planning agreement are rigorously applied and
the Developer and others are aware of the strong and enduring opposition from users of the Sports Centre and local residents
At a public inquiry in January 2008, the Inspector referred to the submission of Morag Ellis QC representing the Developer as follows:
"It seems highly likely that local organisations would be vigilant in keeping an eye on the situation to ensure compliance. More positively, the Plans include provisions for annual reviews, with freedom for the Council to impose any variation “if required to safeguard public amenity and the reasonable access requirements of the Leisure Centre”"
This website representing local people and Sports Centre users is part of that vigilance. Such was their fury that since planning permission was given, they persuaded Camden Council to apply for most of the rest of the Talacre area to become a Town Green - the first Town Green in London. They did that to ensure that other parts of Talacre have complete protection against this or any other developer intruding upon the area WITH OR WITHOUT the Council's agreement. In other words, authority has been taken out of the Council's hands by a resolution of the Council as a result of fury about this development.