VINCENT MCCARTNEY QUESTION TO THE CRT
HOLBORN STUDIOS AND CANAL SIDE DEVELOPMENTS
My name is Vincent McCartney and I represent Holborn Studios which has occupied a canal side site on Eagle Wharf Road, adjacent to Packington Bridge for 26 years. In our premises, which were derelict, we have created a community of more than 250 people gainfully employed and our Studios have hosted the creation of both still and moving iconic images by the leading exponents of the most prominent figures in popular culture.
We have successfully repelled an attempt by Gold Property Developments to demolish the site, and then they thoughtfully sold on the site at an inflated price to Galliard Homes. So once again we are engaged in the defence of jobs, community and creativity.
Our rented premises are a group of locally listed buildings within the Regents Canal Conservation area, a fact that seems to be completely irrelevant to Galliard Homes. We will mount a spirited and well supported defence of our situation and we expect to be successful. The problem comes in that I can predict that our premises will become the subject of serial development attempts, which I understand is known as relay development. Whilst I acknowledge that we have been an active participant in the revitalisation and regeneration of London's canals and I do appreciate the commercial gains made that hopefully have been put to good use by the CRT, I would like to propose a blanket policy opposition by the CRT as statutory consultees, to any further developments of commercial occupied sites alongside the Regents Canal, and I would ask for the support by all of the organisations represented here this evening.
If we do not act quickly and positively, I believe that the Regent's Canal will become a stainless steel and glass corridor from King's Cross to the Thames, without any redeeming or inspiring features.
Can we have your help and support please? Thank you.
Note - this statement was read out by Vincent at the Canal and River Trust's user forum on 15th April 2015.
We have successfully repelled an attempt by Gold Property Developments to demolish the site, and then they thoughtfully sold on the site at an inflated price to Galliard Homes. So once again we are engaged in the defence of jobs, community and creativity.
Our rented premises are a group of locally listed buildings within the Regents Canal Conservation area, a fact that seems to be completely irrelevant to Galliard Homes. We will mount a spirited and well supported defence of our situation and we expect to be successful. The problem comes in that I can predict that our premises will become the subject of serial development attempts, which I understand is known as relay development. Whilst I acknowledge that we have been an active participant in the revitalisation and regeneration of London's canals and I do appreciate the commercial gains made that hopefully have been put to good use by the CRT, I would like to propose a blanket policy opposition by the CRT as statutory consultees, to any further developments of commercial occupied sites alongside the Regents Canal, and I would ask for the support by all of the organisations represented here this evening.
If we do not act quickly and positively, I believe that the Regent's Canal will become a stainless steel and glass corridor from King's Cross to the Thames, without any redeeming or inspiring features.
Can we have your help and support please? Thank you.
Note - this statement was read out by Vincent at the Canal and River Trust's user forum on 15th April 2015.
