The scene on Friday 3rd May before the area was cleared and bins were emptied …
Cally Labour Councillors are calling for changes in the way that recycled waste is collected in the streets surrounding the Bemerton estate in the middle of Caledonian ward.
Large “Euro-bin” containers have been placed around the estate to collect waste for recycling. This follows new fire safety rules which, late last year, required the Council to change the way that these materials were collected from blocks of flats which have enclosed corridors. The previous practice of leaving bags or boxes of loose cardboard, paper and plastics outside front doors on these corridors was declared to be hazardous.
Instead, the Council has placed Euro-bins at various collection points around the estate. But some of these are attracting fly tippers and people just dumping general waste.
One problem area is at the north end of Carnoustie Drive next to the junction with Lyon Street. Council workers are having to regularly clear dumping which often includes furniture, carpets and black sacks of general waste. When Council crews do these extra clear-ups, it costs the Council extra or means other ad-hoc street cleaning jobs don’t get done.
… 4 days later, the situation was looking even worse … then this morning (Thursday 9th) it got cleared again
The two bins are intended for recyclable waste from the estate. But the location is on the public highway at a place which has little natural overlooking. Therefore it is fast becoming a general on-street dumping site. Councillors have said there are three problems at Carnoustie Drive:
- the bins are regularly overflowing and either because there is insufficient capacity for this part of the estate or the bins are being used regularly by other people;
- the site is attracting considerable amounts of dumping because the presence of the two Euro bins seems to indicate that it’s a collection point for all kinds of bulky refuse;
- because there is so much general dumping associated with these bins, it looks like people are just dropping “residual” waste into them thereby contaminating the recyclable waste.
Cally Labour Councillors have called for this location to be re-considered and the Council’s refuse managers have now agreed to review the suitability of this site.
The building prior to demolition. It contained 14 substandard flats.
A controversial block of flats on Pembroke Street in Caledonian Ward has been bulldozed after Islington Council issued final orders to demolish. The five storey block was built without planning permission in 2007 and, after a retrospective planning application was rejected by the Council, enforcement action began.
An appeal against enforcement was dismissed in 2009 when a Planning Inspector said the building was “harmful to the character and appearance of the locality” and overlooked nearby homes “to an unacceptable degree”.
A second planning application was also refused and again dismissed at appeal. The council issued written warnings and took action to appoint a contractor to demolish the building. Faced with having to pay the Council’s bill for having the building demolished, the building’s owner began demolition himself and the building has now been torn-down and the site levelled.
Cally Labour Councillors led the campaign to remove this building. Councillor Paul Convery adds “This was a particularly ugly, oversized building that was very badly managed by its owner. Many of the residents – mainly overseas students and other short-stay visitors to London – were living in slum-like conditions.
The bulldozers begin to rip the building down
“At one point Islington Council was preparing to take action after discovering that children were being housed in the building under unsafe conditions. The owner and landlord ran a disgraceful racket and tried to repeatedly evade enforcement action by Islington Council.”
“It is very unusual for a Council to order demolition of an unpermitted building. But over the years too many landlords have been taking liberties with development in our neighbourhood and I hope this case shows that we are taking very firm action against rogue landlords and developers”.
Cllr James Murray, Islington Council’s executive member for housing and planning, said: “This case shows we will take action against developers who break the rules and have a negative impact on the local community and nearby residents. We want more housing in Islington, especially social housing where local people can afford to live.”
The building was subject to a long and tortuous history of enforcement by the Council and evasion by the owner:
- A retrospective planning application was submitted and refused in May 2008.
The empty, levelled site … suitable for new homes on the Bemerton Estate?
- An enforcement notice requiring demolition of the building was issued in November 2008.
- An appeal against the enforcement notice was lodged, but that appeal was dismissed in July 2009.
- A further planning application was made involving some changes in design and a reduction in the number of units; that was also refused and the appeal was dismissed in February 2011.
- The owner then lodged an application for judicial review of the Inspector’s decision to dismiss that appeal. This was also unsuccessful.
- Several written warnings to remove the building were issued, but no action was taken, so the council made arrangements to hire contractors to demolish the building and then reclaim the cost from the owner.
- In February 2013 the owner finally commenced demolition of the building himself, and it was finished earlier this month (March).
The building was on the site of a former pub adjacent to the Bemerton Estate. Residents on the estate have welcomed the demolition and praised the Council for its firm action.
New free parking bays opposite Cally Pool
Half a dozen free short-stay parking bays will soon be available on Caledonian Road. As part of Islington Council’s efforts to support Cally shops and traders, special bays will shortly be marked-out where vehicles may park for up to 20 minutes at a time.
The three maps opposiite and below show the locations of the new parking places.
These free bays will be in addition to existing parking bays for residents and other permit holders in the area.
The Council ran a public consultation using an online questionnaire and this closed on December 18th. All the responses were positive. The Council has now gone through a further legal procedure before earmarking the new bays.
Additional short-stay parking just north of the Ferodo Bridge
The free parking is one of several initiatives designed to boost local business on the Cally.
Other measures have already been implemented such as a new zebra crossing on the Cally, pavement widening and extension of the Islington 20mph zone to include the main road itself.
The Caledonian Ward Partnership “Team Cally” is developing further plans along with local traders to help shops and cafes to increase trade by promoting the area widely and encouraging more local people to use their local shops.
The new weekly Cally Market is one very positive example of Team Cally’s efforts to promote the area and bring-in new and attractive trade. The market is located between Offord Road and Bridegman Road and opens every Saturday between 9am and 5pm.
Extra parking bays opposite Kember Street and the Co-op
The street market has a great range of fresh produce and original designs – including delicattessen foods, fresh cheeses, cakes, artisan breads and farm-produced butchers.
In response to public demand last year, Team Cally and the Council have begun to develop a new spatial plan for the Cally. This will set-out new binding policies that developers must follow when seeking planning permissions.
The plan is likely to support the survival of small independent shops and businesses. Unlike most high streets, the Cally has very few chain multiple retailers or cafes and most local people want to retain this character.
A steering group is currently discussing the specific redevelopment ideas. Plans include improving the appearance of run-down shop fronts and decreasing the number of empty shops and permanently shuttered premises.
At the same time, the Council is about to embark on an exercise to “de-clutter” the Cally – by removing things like unnecessary signs, posts and redundant telephone boxes.
Cally community is mourning the death of Yasar Anur
Yasar in front of his shop at the Cally Festival this year
Cally residents and the local business community are in mourning following the unexpected death last Friday of Yasar Anur. With Hanife, his wife, Yasar ran the much loved foodstore at 319 Caledonian Road, known as “Yasar’s Food Market”. Councillor Rupert Perry and his wife Ann were long standing friends of Yasar and Hanife and Rupert recounts:
“For those who remember the old Covent Garden, there used to be a fruit and veg stall by the Underground. This was where Yasar first was selling in London. Yasar came from a large Kurdish family, many of whom were involve in food, whether restaurants or production and sales.
“He and Hanife moved to Islington to set up their shop in the late eighties, if I recall right. The shop was a hit from day one, and they made quite an impact of Caledonian Road, with their excellent home made mezes, fruit and vegetables, plus an Alladins cave of interesting foods.
“The Neighbourhood Forum at the time recognised their excellent displays and they won the Cally Shopfront Awards for many years in a row. Despite tougher times in more recent years, they always kept their standards high, and despite ill health, Yasar continued to work long hours at the shop. Yasar leaves behind a son, and his wife Hanife, plus many many relatives and friends who will miss him dearly. The Cally Road needs people like Yasar.
“I did a fair amount of Council work with Yasar. Sometimes it was people he referred to me, and other times it was stuff involving him and Hanife. Years ago when we were giving them awards for their lovely shopfront, another part of the Council was trying to prosecute him for having his display encroaching the pavement. I managed to stop the overzealous officers. A few weeks ago they were given an on the spot penalty for leaving cardboard boxes on the pavement. The offending photos seemed to me to be of boxes relating to the shop next door, and after some hassle, the penalty notice was withdrawn. Yasar often used to say that I was his “brother” and Ann was often in deep conversations with Hanife and Yasar when going to the shop.”
The shop was Yasar’s pride and joy. Every day he and Hanife would set-out their displays of organic fruit and vegetables and would work through well into mid evening. On Sunday, Yasar’s son opened-up the shop for a day and many residents went in to convey their condolences and thoughts to Hanife and the rest of Yasar’s family. The funeral will be held in Turkey once the Coroner’s formalities are completed when Yasar’s body will be returned to Istanbul for a family burial.
The Caledonian Road – many rogue landlords have surreptitiously crammed-in numerous bedsits and substandard flats into subdivided floors above shops, attics and basements – without planning permission.
The Council has stepped-up its enforcement against numerous planning and licensing breaches on the Caledonian Road. During the Summer and Autumn, Council officials have trawled the Cally area and found numerous cases where property owners have flagrantly ignored planning and licensing rules.
Tough enforcement is now underway against property owners who face severe penalties if they fail to comply. The Council has powers to prosecute and it can require owners to demolish unauthorised developments.
Following public meeting held on July 26th this year, senior officials of the Council, and local elected Councillors pledged to start a vigorous campaign of enforcement against rogue landlords on the Cally.
The Council has now set-up a dedicated team of planners working on enforcement in Caledonian ward, specifically targeting the premises where unscrupulous developers have been converting shops into flats and bedsits and subdividing properties into tiny living spaces.
The Council has begun action in numerous cases after surveying dozens of suspect addresses. The first set of investigations and action are below:
- 334-340 Caledonian Road (flats above, below and behind the previous Topkapi Place restaurant). This is a notorious case where up to 15 small flats have been carved out in the basement, rear and upper floors of this building. The owner has tried to claim these have been in use for over 4 years. The Council has now refused retrospective planning permission and is continuing an enforcement case. The owner has been instructed to cease using one of the flats for residential use on the orders of the Council’s environmental health officers.
- 342 Caledonian Road (flat behind the Prince public house). Legal enforcement notice has been served requiring this property to cease being used for residential purposes. Landlord is required to remove all features such as utility room, kitchen, bathroom or shower rooms.
- 313-315 Caledonian Road (the semi-derelict “Heritage Library” building) where the owner has erected steel shuttering to every rear window and door with extensive rolls of razor wire around the building’s rear perimeter. An enforcement notice required the owner to comply by 15th November. However, he has not done so and will face legal action for failure.
- 317 Caledonian Road (closed-up shop unit with flats above, accessed from Carnoustie Drive) – there has been a large amount of excavation in the basement witnessed recently and an investigation is underway.
- 70 Pembroke Street (also known as “Choudhury Mansions) – a five storey block of flats built without proper planning permission in 2006. After lengthy enforcement action and extensive legal challenges, the owner was issued with a legal order to demolish and, as a result, demolition has finally begun.
- 290 Caledonian Road (formerly the “Natural Shop”) – the owner of the building dug-out a basement flat, created a lightwell in the pavement and erected a steel shutter. All of these were unpermitted and enforcement notices have been served requiring residential use to cease and removal of the shutter.
- 300 Caledonian Road (Dental Surgery) – the owner has built a basement flat without planning permission and – after the Council discovered this – tried to get a retrospective planning permission. This has now been refused and enforcement action is underway.
- 289-291 Caledonian Road (above Ladbrokes) – owner required to remove unauthorised roof extension and replace with a smaller-sized one.
- 356 Caledonian Road (empty shop) where the owner has recently erected a steel roller shutter – enforcement action has now started
- 282 Caledonian Road (former Salantino Café) is now being used as an office – enforcement investigation has commenced.
Two other very well publicised cases have led to a complete stop on unacceptable activities in premises:
- 278 Caledonian Road (formerly “Pleasure Garden”) where a sauna and massage club operated without any license. This was also widely believed to be a club where paid-for sex was traded. The Council and police raided the club in February and the Council later told the operator that she would be refused a license to trade. The business has completely closed.
- 169-171 Caledonian Road (formerly “Pappeos” nightclub) where late night music, drinking and dancing caused repeated problems including violent crime in the street. The Council successfully closed this club down and the owner subsequently forfeited his lease.
In total the Council has identified 17 other properties where there appear to be breaches of planning control and is investigating these. Other successful cases include:
- 95 Caledonian Road – unathorised shop front removed after enforcement action began
- 335 Caledonian Road – roller shutter has been removed after Council threatened legal action
- 282 and 284 Caledonian Road – decking and seating area on the pavement removed after warning letter sent
- 333 Caledonian Road – unauthorised shop signs removed after legal notice by the Council
At the public meeting in July, nearly 200 people crammed into the Jean Stokes hall to vent their frustration at years of inaction by the Council. Many of the planning permission infringements occurred over 4 years ago and were therefore past their “legal sell-by date”. Many members of the public are furious that the Council did nothing during the previous decade.
The current Town Hall administration and local Councillors have promised that every breach that comes to light will be enforced. And the Council has said that rogue landlords who have made money from renting-out unauthorised buildings will face prosecution under the Proceeds of Crime Act. This law allows the Council to impose heavy fines on landlords which are based on the illicit income they have made from such developments. The recouped money can then be used by the Council for community benefit.
The Co-op store re-opens on Caledonian Road – a vote of confidence in our high street
The new look Co-op store on Caledonian Road is a sign of regeneration on our high street
The Cally Road Co-op has reopened after a 10 day refit and it’s been turned into a great looking store.
The benefits from the Co-op’s investment are clear to see. Obviously, the new shop now has modern displays, especially for chilled foods, a sensible layout and new lighting.
But the new internal layout means that the store’s front windows are open onto the street. Previously it was almost impossible to see in or out of the front and this gave the store a very cramped and claustrophobic feel. The new window design brightens the pavement outside and allows easy views into and out of the shop.
Caledonian Road is undergoing a renewal as traders, residents and the Council clear-up the street, encourage new business and make the highway safer. The Co-op is one of just two cornerstone retailers on the Cally and many people used to complain that the previous store had a run-down and dowdy feel.
Paul Convery says “I’m a very keen Co-op customer indeed and I’m delighted this ethical business is so prominent on our high street. I’ve been a Co-op member most of life and want to make the Co-op a bigger part of our community here on the Cally. We’re all pulling together to make the Cally a better place and the Co-op’s commitment to this store is a vote of confidence in our high street’s future.”
Cally Road 24-hour “sauna” permanently closed-down by Council
No sign of anyone entering the premises for many weeks … then an estate agent board goes up confirming permanent closure
The notorious “Pleasure Garden” sauna business has finally closed down after decisive enforcement action by Islington Council with police support.
The owner has been “cautioned” for running an unlicensed sauna and massage business. It is widely believed that, for many years, the premises at 278 Caledonian Rd did not simply provide sauna and massage services but operated as a cover business where paid-for sex with prostitutes was available.
Council officers and police raided the premises in February and were told that, for a £10 entry fee, customers could use a steam room and sauna. The premises were found to have three basement rooms containing mattresses where massages were available.
Without a license for sauna and massage, the business was temporarily closed down by the Council and police. In July, the operator of the business applied for such a license but then withdrew just hours before the case was to be heard by a Town Hall committee in September. It was a near certainty that the application would have been rejected by the Councillors.
Now the premises are empty and up for letting with agents advertising it as a “health centre”. The building is owned by controversial local landlord, Andrew Panayi, who has been firmly reminded that the building does not have a valid planning permission for “health club” use.
The final steps in this saga came last month when a 52-year-old woman from Romford, Essex, who was the owner of the business, admitted the offence of running an unlicensed premise for sauna and massage.
Caledonian Ward Councillor Paul Convery says “The Council in previous years refused to take enforcement action over this premise and the current Town Hall leadership has taken a much firmer stance against illicit businesses such as this. We intend to close down every sex-related establishment in the Borough – particularly those in the Kings Cross area – and have made considerable progress in the last two years. There’s no place in Islington for businesses that ignore laws designed to protect residents, customers and employees. We will take further action as needed to stop such businesses from operating in our communities.”
To report all anti-social behaviour in Islington, call the Council’s crime, disorder and nuisance team on 020 7527 7272 or go to www.islington.gov.uk/reportasb
Do one great thing this weekend … visit Cally Festival on Sunday
Anticipation is mounting on the Caledonian Road as the final touches are made for the 2nd annual Cally Festival.
With less than 24 hours to go, these final preparations will transform the Cally Road all day Sunday 16th September.
Equipment has already arrived, parking restrictions are in force and the street’s shops, cafes, bars and restaurants are preparing for the arrival of up to 8,000 visitors through the day. Starting around 4am, the street closure comes into force, bunting flags and numerous other decorations will go up, market stalls will line the street, marquees and tents erected.
Last year’s festival was an enormous success and this year’s event will have even more attractions, events, performances, food and drink to enjoy. It starts at noon on Sunday and runs until 6pm. A short video documentary from last year’s festival explains everything.
Paul Convery, one of the Caledonian Ward Councillors says “Islington Council has fully supported the festival – with financial assistance and all the organisational help we can muster. The Cally Festival represents the face of change in our neighbourhood – appealing to both newly arrived and long-term residents. It is a change for the better in a place that is characterised by very stark social differences – and the Cally Road itself historically has been a boundary between affluent and less affluent areas. Now we are celebrating the Cally Road as a shared space where we unite to create a better and fairer place.”
Cally Road 24 hour sauna withdraws license application
The premises at 278 Caledonian Road in the middle of our neighbourhood high street
A notorious business on the Caledonian Rd has withdrawn its bid for a “special treatments” license following representations by councillors and public.
The license application – which would have permitted sauna and massage services – was suddenly withdrawn just hours before it was due to be heard by Islington Council’s licensing committee today Tuesday 11th September. It is almost certain that the application would have been rejected by the committee of elected Councillors.
The police and Council had closed the business down earlier this year because it did not have a valid license to operate as a sauna. It has never received planning permission for the current non-retail use or for 24 hour opening. Since being closed down, the premises claim to be trading as a barber shop and rest room. The freehold of the building is owned by controversial local landlord, Andrew Panayi.
It is widely believed in the neighbourhood that, in addition to sauna services, the business operates as a place where paid-for sex is available. There are web chatrooms and “consumer review” websites that allege in detail the sexual services that could be procured there.
Caledonian Councillors Paul Convery and Rupert Perry submitted objections to the license as did a number of local residents using the Council’s special dispensation for anonymity.
Renewed warnings to public to help prevent smartphone thefts
Islington Council and the police have issued further precautionary warnings for smartphone users to avoid snatch thefts.
Several such crimes were committed during August on York Way and Caledonian Road. Our neighbourhood was one of the first areas in the Borough to experience these thefts which started about a year ago. But, following tough action by police and Council earlier in 2012, Caledonian Ward has recently experienced far fewer recent thefts than many other parts of the Borough.
Islington police have recently released a short CCTV clip demonstrating how speedily and suddenly these thefts can happen. The video shows a young man standing outside an Essex Road pub when (at about 12 seconds into the clip) a snatcher cycles past at speed.
Much of inner and central London is experiencing a plague of aggressive thefts committed by young men usually riding pushbikes or motor scooters. In the last 12 months, the number of such thefts has risen to over a thousand in Islington alone. That means over £½ million of hand-held property has been stolen in snatch thefts over that period.
The police have issued detailed do-and-don’t guidance to smartphone users. Most of this is common sense:
- Be discreet with your phone, particularly when using it in public.
- Don’t make your mobile phone a moving target, where possible don’t use your phone whilst walking along the kerb as thieves operate on bikes and can snatch it from your hand
- Don’t leave your phone on tables in pubs or restaurants.
- When you exit a tube station or bus don’t use your phone immediately
- Don’t walk and text at the same time, you will be less aware of what is happening around you.
- Keep calls in public places as brief as possible, the longer you talk, the more likely you are to be spotted by a potential thief.
- Many phones have an IMEI number which is a unique identifier for the phone; you can obtain this number by typing *#06# (star hash 06 hash) into your mobile phone and it will display a 15 digit number.
- Register your mobile phone at www.immobilise.com
Councillor Paul Convery, one of the Cally Labour Councillors comments “All smartphone users are urged to follow the police advice and avoid becoming a theft target. But Islington Council is also working with the police to identify the gangs of young men committing these crimes and to use the full range of legal powers to arrest and convict offenders. Caledonian Ward was one of the first parts of Islington to experience these kinds of thefts. The sharp drop in reported thefts is partly because the police acted quickly in January and February. They drafted-in dozens of officers, undertaking stop-and-search, raiding homes based on intelligence, making arrests and imposing tough bail conditions on suspects.”
Labour Councillors representing the Cally neighbourhood in Islington 