On Monday 11 December our local MP, Mark Field, visited Golden Lane Estate.

He was taken on a walkabout by Tim Godsmark, GLERA Chair and a small group of residents - Anne Corbett, Charles Humphries and Emma Matthews.

Here is the subsequent correspondence:

From GLERA, 12 December:

Dear Abhi,

It was a great pleasure to meet you yesterday. I attach a letter which summarises our concerns regarding the proposed tower block development. We have kept it concise but if you do require any further background please let me know. Let me know if you require a paper copy or if anything is unclear.

The alternative low rise scheme which we believe is viable would:

• Provide a greater number of social housing units (76 instead of 66)
• Be fully planning policy compliant
• Provide public open space
• Be less expensive to build than a tower
• Be socially more integrated with the estate and
• Avoid the fire escape compromises of a single staircase tower

We would like to publish this letter on our website so that our members are kept informed. Please let me know if you would have any objection.

With best regards

Charles Humphries

Read attached letter here.

From Mark Field's Office, 18 December:

Good morning, Charles

Many thanks for forwarding me this letter.

I should like to confirm that Mark has today written to John Barradell to express the concerns of residents’ in regard to the standard of the proposals’ social housing provision, as well as the sense amongst the GLERA that locals have not been listened to, nor meaningfully involved in this process. Mark has also forwarded a copy of this letter to Catherine McGuinness.

A letter has also been sent to Emily Thornberry MP, notifying her of Mark’s stance and the action he is taking. He has suggested that they share a consistent position when engaging with the local authorities if representations are to be as effective as possible.

You are more than welcome to publish your letter on your website, as well as any response we receive from Mr Barradell.