Image credit: from The Hornsey Club Pre-Application 02 Design Document, presented to local residents 17th May 2022

Raising Funds For Expert Planning Support

The Save our Space N8 campaign group believes that if a planning application is made for the Sports Hall, opposing it will require expert planning advice to oppose the proposal. We have received cost estimates from planning advisers – approx. £3500 – SOSN8 are is seeking to raise this sum from neighbours and those who want to help protect local open spaces from development. Any approval of Hornsey Cricket Club’s plans would set a dangerous precedent for other large building construction in these special open spaces.

Our sincere hope is that no application is made and the threat to the Metropolitan Open Land passes. We are endeavouring to seek further information from the Cricket Club on their intentions, but in the absence of confirmation we believe it necessary to prepare to protect the Open Spaces from this risk to Metropolitan Open Land.

Please Donate To Preserve Local Open Space

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We aim to raise £3500 pounds to cover planning support. If you have any queries please check our FAQ below.

If we raise more than we need in legal and the Just Giving.com admin fee, donations will be returned pro rata.

Save or Space N8 is a campaign group formed following the pre-application consultation held by Hornsey Cricket Club to present their plans for a large Sports Hall on Metropolitan Open Land. Currently it comprises over 50 people predominantly from the streets adjacent to the Club.

Save our Space N8 has a Steering Committee to decide on courses of action and to monitor their progress, and to ensure that safeguards are in place for all funds raised. The initial Steering Committee members are:

  • Simon Garrill (Tivoli Rd.) – Chairperson

  • Julie Schwarz (Glasslyn Rd.) – Treasurer

  • Veronica Flavell (Glasslyn Rd.) – Events Secretary

  • David Donnelly (Glasslyn Rd.) – Secretary

We very much hope that it won’t be needed – but we have to be ready immediately if an application is made. We have sought estimates from planning advisers. £3,500 is estimated cost of professional planning advice if the planning application for the Sports Hall is made.

The fundraising will be done using the online fundraising platform Givey.com. We will also be holding social events to promote the fundraising from time to time.

We will be seeking donations on very strict conditions:

  • If we raise more than we need in professional costs and the 5% Givey.com admin fee, the excess will be returned pro rata or, if the donor so wishes, be donated to CREOS (https://crouchendopenspace.org/). (The website enables donors to be contacted by e-mail)

  • If no application is made by 30 September 2023, all donations will likewise be returned (net of the admin fee) or, if the donor so wishes, be donated to CREOS.

  • The monies will be held in a bank account in the name of the Treasurer. The Treasurer will provide a written undertaking to the Steering Committee to report on a monthly basis to the Steering Committee on all monies received, and the balance held, and to disburse money only with the written consent of the Chairperson and Secretary. Receipts will also be separately monitored via the Givey.com account.

If no application is made by 30 September 2023, all donations will be returned (net of the admin fee)

Any donations that are submitted anonymously and cannot therefore be returned will be donated to local charities that support local open space

We need To Be Prepared To Act

As you may know, Freedom of Information Act disclosure reveals that Haringey Council has not ruled out granting permission to a sports hall development by Hornsey Cricket Club. This leaves the Crouch End Open Spaces and Playing Fields – the unique area which is home to woodland paths as well as cricket and tennis clubs – at risk of inappropriate development despite it being Metropolitan Open land (MOL), which is intended to protect open spaces in London.

Any approval of Hornsey Cricket Club’s plans would set a dangerous precedent for other large building construction in these protected open spaces. The Save our Space N8 campaign group believes that if a planning application is made, opposing it requires expert planning advice, especially on the principle of defending Metropolitan Open Land. Given the short timeframe from any planning notice to objection deadline, once we get any notice the planning expert would need immediate instruction.  Therefore we have to have the necessary funds pledged or committed in advance of that time.

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