Some of you will remember the Save Camden Market area petition - re:

""Dear All

For anyone who hasn't yet heard, an application for planning permission has been approved by Camden County Council in order to demolish Camden stables market and to build a new complex with high street chains like, Topshop and Starbucks.

Camden is not only a place of originality in the fields of music, fashion and alternative culture but also a place of fascinating history. It's at the very heart of one of London 's most culturally, politically and ethnically diverse areas. It attract people from all over the world, of all ages,
all interests and all backgrounds. Nowhere has ever been quite like Camden market, and NOWHERE ELSE EVER WILL BE IF WE LOSE IT! We've lost both the Kings Road and Kensington high street as the last bastions of alternative culture to the corporate developers over the last fifteen years... Please, don't let Camden go the same way. We can't let the stables be torn down - They are such an integral part of Camden's ambiance and London itself won't be the same without them.

Please, please, please give us just 1 minute of your time and go to:http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/camdenmarket/



It goes straight to the government and officially has to be responded to.
This could be our last chance to make a difference.

Surprisingly few Londoners even know about the plans. Do anything you can think of to help!

Tim Sawford
Designer
Wire Design Ltd
11-29 Fashion Street
London E1 6PX

T: 020 7422 1770

F: 020 7422 1780
tim.sawford@wiredesign.com

www.wiredesign.com "


WELL HERE'S THE GOV'S RESPONSE:

"Read the Government's response:
The vast majority of decisions on planning applications are made by the local planning authority, in this case the London Borough of Camden. However, the Secretary of State has the power to call in planning applications under section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. She will, in general, only take this step if planning issues of more than local importance are involved and if those issues need to be decided by the Secretary of State rather than at a local level. Each case is, however, considered on its own facts. However, the Secretary of State can only intervene in a case before the Council has issued its decision but, in this case, she was not asked to intervene and Camden Council granted planning permission on 11 October 2006. Therefore, it is no longer open to the Secretary of State to use her call in powers.

In terms of government policy on retail, national planning policy in Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres (PPS6) seeks to support a competitive retail sector and meet the needs of the community - but it is not the role of planning to restrict competition or preserve existing commercial interests. PPS6 (paragraph 2.27) also asks local authorities to seek to retain and enhance existing markets and, where appropriate, re-introduce or create new ones, as street and covered markets can make a valuable contribution to local choice and diversity in shopping as well as the vitality of town centres. Local authorities should ensure that their markets remain attractive and competitive by investing in their improvement."


So if my weary legal reading eyes serve me right - this means the opposition time passed in 2006!! grrrrr.

If anyone knows any further steps we can take to block this happening - please advise - thanks

PA

oh no! this is rubbish!! :(

yeah i got that email! :(
not fair! i dunno wot else we can do now cos even if we went there and protested, they've already got planning permission!

so can nothing be done to save it??

If we can show that the demand for the stables far outway the demand for some shitty franchise, and the historic and artistic value of the stables is one of the main attractions for tourist, who bring revenue to camden, then i beleive this can be taken to higher authorities.....Most decisions like this are based on revenue, if it can be proven that the stables is of historic value and commercially viable for the area, i hate that word (commercial), then we have a case.....Peace

i will make some enquires through my channels and will let you know asap; a friend of mine is an mp and will have a word. God Bless.

thanks for the info all - keep us informed on what steps we can take and i am sure we will take them, seems like this one slipped under the radar in 2006.

Viva Camden Market.

P

seems like this one slipped under the radar in 2006.

yeah they took the piss and kept it well quiet!!!
obv cos they knew that there would be an uproar when every1 found out!!!!!!!!
i will make some enquires through my channels and will let you know asap;
yeah let us kno anything that we can do!!!!!! x x x

oh my days, cnt believe this is for real!!!
Surley by rights they have to at least let people know what sgoing on, this is the 1st i've heard about it! Which bit is the stables (not that it matters-the whole of camden should be left as it is!)

Its one of the most cultured places in London that I can think of-wat is this country coming to!

Tim Sawford you are a prince.