Sir: Your article The Barnsbury scandal' will have been read
with sympathy and understanding by many residents in Islington. The need for an Ombudsman is likely to be felt in other parts of the borough in the near future.
Last May the borough council bought the free- hold of over twenty-seven acres in Canonbury for 'redevelopment.' A press conference was held and a statement issued which included the ominous sentence 'The properties are over 100 years old and are considered ripe for development.'
Some of them have in fact already been devel- oped by private owners, and others converted into council flats. The majority are somewhat dilapi- dated, but are capable of rehabilitation, as were those on the Packington Estate not far away. (It may be recalled that the public inquiry in this case brought the Islington borough council some notoriety and heavy criticism from the then ucc.) Although the council's plan for this Canonbury area has not yet been made public, local residents have good reason to suspect that wholesale demo- lition is intended, including that of a number of houses in sound condition and of considerable architectural merit Oh for an Ombudsman!
Joyce Butcher 7 Northampton Park, Canonbury, London Ni
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