An application to build 90 homes on New North Road behind Upper Street’s Union Chapel has been provisionally approved by Islington Council’s planning committee, against the wishes of many residents.
Those opposing the development predict a number of disruptions to the operation of the chapel, including potential noise complaints during live music performances by residents of the new buildings, which could result in a reduction of the venue’s licensing hours.
The official decision has been deferred while a discrepancy between the developer’s and the District Valuer Service’s estimates of the project’s costs is resolved, but the application has been approved in principle.
The committee, which met on Monday evening, heard statements from locals opposing the development as well as from a spokesperson for the developer, the Notting Hill Housing Group, before agreeing to accept the application.
Roger Arkell, planning manager at Notting Hill Housing, dismissed concerns over potential noise complaints. “The chapel is already established in a residential area, closer to it than our proposed development,” he told the committee, while reassuring existing residents that Notting Hill Housing is “intending to provide excellent sound insulation to our residents”.
In keeping with Islington’s affordable housing scheme, half of the proposed units will be available at reasonable prices, which was clearly an influential factor for the committee, as councillor Phil Kelly demonstrated: “Everything we do in Islington is a balance, and seeing the possibility of much needed homes – including for people with low incomes – tips it for me.”
Notting Hill Housing have also pledged to fund soundproofing in Union Chapel’s rehearsal space, an important source of income for the popular music venue.
A statement issued by Union Chapel the day after the meeting read: “We’re disappointed but not all is lost … contributions for sound insulation and possibly a loading area will mitigate to some extent the anticipated congestion and disturbance both during construction and beyond.”
