Islington MP Jeremy Corbyn has called on Angela Rayner to intervene against plans to build a new tower block in Archway.
Mr Corbyn made a rousing speech to residents on Tuesday at a packed community centre that met to oppose the construction of the high-rise.
He attended the meeting alongside more than one hundred locals, some of whom had to stand because all seating was taken.
The independent MP said: “While there is a desperate, desperate need for social housing in this borough which is not being met by the private sector… [this development] does not meet the needs of our community.
“I think it’s unnecessary and wrong in this area and I said I would do everything I could [and] insist that the mayor call in the Secretary of State [for Housing, Communities and Local Government] because I do think we’ve got to be very assertive as communities.”
The meeting was the latest show of resistance against plans by developer SevenCapital to build an 82-metre-tall high-rise in central Archway.
A resident of 35 years and a conservation architect labelled the tower “a giant middle finger to us all”.
Most speakers opposed the construction, but some came out in support of it. Flora Thomas, representing the “30+ Islington residents”, said that she supported any plan “insofar as the maximum amount of housing is built”.
“It’s a giant middle finger to us all”
Another resident from Highgate Road questioned whether the people at the meeting were “objecting for the sake of it” and that the plan “seemed really good to me”.
Islington Council said: “This application is being considered by planning officers so this will take some time. If planning should be refused, this decision will be made by planning officers alone.”
Jamie Boys is a student journalist from London. He is the beat reporter for Junction Ward, i.e. Archway, North London. He also has a by-line at the Standard. Jamie grew up in central London, but has lived in the USA and Australia. Jamie is a huge Chelsea fan and has had a season ticket his whole life. He has a particular interest in political journalism.