Ms Adele Castle
Planning Services
London Borough of Camden
Town Hall
Argyle Street
London, WC1H 8ND
Your ref: 2007/4036/P
Our ref: KM/0907/08
21 September 2007

Dear Ms Castle

Details of construction methodology statement for the erection of 20 dwellings on the site of the former Railway Club, College Lane, London, NW5 1BJ

The Georgian Group would like to register our extreme concerns regarding the construction methodology statement for the erection of 20 dwellings on the site of the former Railway Club, College Lane, NW5, due to the proposal to use Little Green Street as the access route to the development.

Little Green Street is a charming late eighteenth century narrow street with historic houses lining the north side.  No.s 2 & 3, 4-7 and 8 are individually listed at Grade II, and their significance as a group has also been registered.  Due to the positive contribution Little Green Street makes to the character and appearance of the surrounding area the street is included within the Dartmouth Park Conservation Area.

The Group are concerned that the proposed level and type of traffic to use Little Green Street, in connection with the development on the site of the former Railway Club, would have a damaging affect on the historic fabric of the houses and road.  The architectural and historic significance of this unique street has been safeguarded for the last 250 years, largely by virtue of its location.  The Street is only 2.5 – 2.9m in width and fundamentally the road is simply not designed to accommodate, let alone withstand the volume or type of traffic proposed.

We would remind you of your authority’s duty to protect and enhance the built environment in line with the London Borough of Camden Replacement Unitary

Development Plan (adopted June 2006, see Policies B6 section 3.56 & 3.60 and B7A & section 3.70).  Camden Council has a responsibility to safeguard the character and appearance of listed buildings and conservation areas especially against development that can cause irreparable harm.  It is the opinion of The Group that the current proposal to use Little Green Street as an access route for construction vehicles would cause irreparable harm.

To conclude, The Georgian Group respectfully urges your authority to refuse consent for the use of Little Green Street as the main access route to the development site due to the damaging impact the passing heavy duty vehicular traffic would have on the historic buildings and road.  It is doubtful that any construction methodology statement could ever justify Little Green Street’s suitability as an access road.  

Yours sincerely
 
Kirsten McKnight
Caseworker