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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Urban redevelopment gone wrong - the Wood Green/Ducketts Common development

Anybody else noticed the disaster at the North End of Duckett's Common near the tube entrance?

When the plans for the Wood Green development came in, some trendy Old Street urban redesign company proposed taking a section of Duckett's common and replacing it with a flower bed. A few members of the Friends' Group objected - and stated that it was a nice idea but given its position (people use it as a cutthrough to the tube) and the fact that it would not get enough maintenance, it was a really bad plan.

Having moved the fence, taking a section of the Common away, we are left with the a terrible looking bit of scrub land. It even looks like somebody has had a small fire on there.

Oran Ezuz (the designer) and his company East Architecture Landscape Urban Design Ltd should be a little bit embarrassed about the way it's turned out. As should Haringey Parks Services and the Council who have let it get in such a state.

I wonder if we can we do the sensible thing and move the fence back to bring this section back into the fold of Duckett's Common?

Tags for Forum Posts: Ducketts Common, Friends of Ducketts Common, Wood green redevelopment, haringey council

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Just been to look at it, at a guess the landscaping was a smokescreen to the fact they have skimmed off 200 sq metres of park (no railings on the road side). In time they will regard the garden as neglected and put in plans to push the pavement into the garden and the existing pavement an off-road bus stop thus resolving a traffic pinch-point. Stealth is the best way to erode opposition.

Interesting theory. Let's see what Zena comes back with after she's approached Parks. I think Lewis at Parks is also going to take a look this week and report back. I'll let you know what happens.

Just to let you know, I got in touch with Lew who is already on the case. I am meeting him on site this Wednesday. He tells me there should be visible improvements by next week.

Zena

Zena Brabazon

Councillor

Harringay Ward

Well done, Zena. That's impressively responsive!

Thanks Zena. It's much appreciated that you're taking the time to meet Lew and sort this out. best jon

I Met Lew on site today. he is really aware of the problems and he told me he has pas to sort it out - regarding planting and maintenance. I can't say with certainty when the work will be done, but he is excellent and I am sure it will be soon.

Meanwhile I am contacting the project officer who dealt with this project for some further background . 

Zena Brabazon
Councillor

Harringay Ward

As far as I remember, it was the Friends of Ducketts who were behind this " development " Why they wanted it, no-one knows.  They defended the removal of the bench seating when I objected.

Since it was their idea, they should take responsibility for cleaning it up and maintaining it.

Interesting John, that is probably exactly what LBH would say as well, they only had grass to cut before. Time for the hacksaw and a bucket of glyphosate.

It could be a really nice display minimum water loving plants. I good planting of euphorbia wulfeni would give the bus stop a great smell of coffee and not need any maintenance.

https://www.palmcentre.co.uk/products/ewu/euphorbia-characias-wulfe...

Believe it or not, there were deciduous shrubs and ferns planted under all those weeds.

The friends group were actually concerned it was a maintenance issue... and look where we are now.

"The space (in green) created by moving the fence will be low level planting. The FoDC were (in general) not keen on this or the low level planting, felt to be a maintenance issue."

Apologies for my faulty memory then Nick. So, whose idea was it to create this unloved space ?

It is most likely a smokescreen for reducing the size of a green space. It's an old trick and still works. Bloody Machiavellists at work!

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