Preserve Northview

Northview is a unique enclave of flats in Holloway, North London.  Last September we successfully fought off an application by the owners to build a hefty extra storey on top of the larger block in our estate.

Now, a year on, the owners have made a new application to build on Northview. But in size, bulk and effect, the scheme is nearly identical to Application P0101448 rejected unanimously by the committee last year. What is proposed – a clumsy zinc and glass storey on the rear, larger block – would ruin Northview, and a unique piece of Islington’s heritage would be lost forever. Planning Application P121620 should therefore be rejected – please read on to see how you can support us:

The threat

Northview is distinguished by the elegance of its Art Deco design and layout, which incorporate original features such as detailed parapets, Crittall windows and deco banisters. Its owners want to build an impractical, incongruous and unsightly additional storey on top of the main block. 

Why these proposals must be opposed

This ill-conceived project has been described by James Dunnett (of James Dunnett Architects) as ‘probably an impossible task… The delicacy of the existing architectural detail will be overwhelmed by the weight of the new storey’… ‘which is likely to appear cumbersome and crude’.Northview was designed to be a green space community, with its buildings enhanced by the natural light the present structure allows and which emphasises both interior and exterior architectural detail.

In James Dunnett’s view ‘the extra storey will seriously detract from the feeling of light and air in the quite narrow courtyard’ and ‘would not be viable due to the narrow plan form of the existing building… consent should be refused’. 

The Northview environment

Northview is opposite the Holloway Odeon, also built in 1938, and together they provide a glimpse of how the area would have looked more than 70 years ago.  This cluster of Art Deco buildings – in very different styles - work together to create a visual impact; the integrity of which must not be compromised.  The horseshoe-shaped layout, gardens and mature trees give it a village green feel which is rare in an inner-city commercial area. Indeed we are still working towards getting Northview locally listed on its own merit and to have it included in the Conservation Area.  Northview is a unique heritage asset and must be preserved.  

Sign petition