Is there a development crisis in the Borough of Islington?

As Islington is one of the inner boroughs of London, it has been subject to developments and redevelopments all the time. And it’s not all bad news, depending on where you’re standing. The plans by Islington Council to build “2,000 affordable homes between 2015 and 2019, including 500 new council homes” will be great (if implemented) for those planning on living in Islington.

But development isn’t a new phenomenon for Islington, just take the example a few months ago concerning Finsbury Leisure Centre’s plan for redevelopment. The Clerkenwell based centre revealed plans in June 2017, which included a new sports facility, 100 more new homes and an energy centre.

The plans could be seen as beneficial to everyone, right? Unfortunately, not all are enthused by these changes.

One resident of Islington told me, “it’s an absolute disgrace”, and when asked to elaborate further on her comment, she preceded to answer “I have lived in Islington for 40 years, I don’t recognise it anymore”. And she is not the only resident of Islington to feel anger towards the developments and redevelopments going on in the area. In response to Finsbury Centre’s plans, over 760 people have signed a petition to ‘reject the current Finsbury Central development proposals’. This petition argues that the council and architects involved have ignored the views of the residents already living in Islington, and the effect the developments would have on their homes and livelihoods. According to the ‘Redesign St Luke’s Area’ petition, the plans compromise the ‘privacy to both St Luke’s Garden users, Burnhill House and Mitchell Street’, the proposals would result in a ‘reduction of facilities’ and a ‘loss of jobs’.

Many could argue that the development and redevelopments happening in Islington, and furthermore London, are a necessity. To accommodate with an increasing population as well metropolitan demands, Islington’s developments could be seen as moving with the times. But it is impossible to neglect those living in the borough, as they have just as much right to feel at home as any new-time buyers benefitting from the Finsbury Centre’s plans or Islington Council’s plans for 2015-2019.