The local group SNAG (Stadium Neighbours Action Group) is coordinating community action and representation at the forthcoming planning appeal on the Arsenal Coach Parking issue.

Our Councillors unanimously rejected Arsenal's latest application but Arsenal have appealed and there will be a Planning Appeal to settle the matter.

SNAG have written the following to sum up the issue and appeal for funds to support legal representation at the Appeal:

PUBLIC ENQUIRY:

ARSENAL APPEAL TO TURN OUR STREETS INTO THEIR COACH PARK.

MATCH DAY MISERY FOR WHOLE AREA

You can still stop Arsenal ignoring its legal obligations and turning residential streets and community spaces into coach parks.

The Council has already refused an Arsenal planning application for long term coach parking which breaches agreed planning conditions, and removes the requirement to use the Queensland Rd site. Now Arsenal has submitted further proposals which largely ignore the Council’s key decision with its clearly expressed rejection of on street parking.

To ensure that the Public Enquiry rejects this appeal and that the Council honours its commitment to off street parking, residents must act now.

What’s being proposed and what does it mean?

Current temporary arrangements allow Arsenal to park up to 40 coaches in Queensland Rd,, at the Sobell, Hornsey St., Drayton Park, and Finsbury Park - in that order. This was agreed pending an expected return to the stadium site at Queensland Rd.

Arsenal proposals for the 2009/10 season onwards either remove or reduce capacity at Queensland Road. Coach parking will be predominantly street- based, adding Market Rd and Holloway Rd. to existing on-street sites and greatly increasing the number of coaches at the Sobell and Hornsey St.

The appeal, if successful, will mean no parking at all on Queensland Road and will reverse the Council’s decision.

The effects for residents and visitors will be widespread and affect the whole area, including anyone who uses Holloway Rd and fan-routed streets like Mackenzie Rd., Palmer Place, Caledonian Rd and adjacent streets. Highbury, already affected by road closure and access issues in Drayton Park, could have up to 22 coach loads of supporters crossing Holloway Rd at the Drayton Park junction. Pedestrians, motorists, cyclists, shop keepers, shoppers, parking permit and blue badge holders, residents and their visitors living in and/or using named and adjacent streets will be affected. There will be more widespread disruption, congestion, noise, disturbance, reduced access and road closures, emission pollution and antisocial behaviour.

Have you been consulted? - You should have been

What to do

1. Send immediately comments/objections to the 3 proposals by letter or email to the Case Officer (see attached.) Even though the deadline has passed it is still worth doing this. Make the point you were not consulted and that you should have been.

1. Send in appeal objections by June 23, details later

1. Make a donation to Stadium Neighbours Action Group. Experience has shown that the Council is influenced by a combination of resident views and resident objections backed by legal representation. This was demonstrated in 2006 and again this year. In 2006 and 2009 Stadium Neighbours Action Group used expert planning solicitors to ensure residents’ rights and interests were protected. This has proved necessary and effective in the face of a wealthy and influential business with its army of consultants, lawyers and paid planners (by agreement, in the Council planning department). Up to now funds have been provided by individual uncanvassed donations. We now need to raise funds fast, and are asking for donations, if every one gives a bit we can raise enough.

Donations

Cheque by post to:

STADIUM NEIGHBOURS ACTION GROUP C/O 41 Drayton Park N5 1NT.

OR direct to STADIUM NEIGHBOURS ACTION GROUP

Acc No: 39211398 Sort Code: 60 00 01