START HARINGEY

In 2016 two-thirds of the St. Ann’s hospital site is due to be sold for private housing development, with just 14% of these homes classed as ‘affordable’. St Ann’s Redevelopment Trust (StART) wants to acquire the site and ensure that this valuable public asset is used to benefit the whole community, and we need your help to make this happen. You’ve had your say, and we’re building on it. Now we need your feedback on our architects’ draft plans.

WHEN:

• Wednesday 27 January 7pm–9pm
• Saturday 6 February 12pm-2pm

WHERE:

• Chestnuts Primary School  Black Boy Lane, N15 3AS

Join us in developing our community plan for St Ann’s Hospital site

Last year hundreds of local people took part in our survey to say what they want to see happen to the St Ann’s site. The top priority was for homes that local people can afford to rent or buy, closely followed by health services, green spaces and community facilities. The results also show overwhelming support for the idea that local people are best placed to say what’s needed and to take a lead in the site’s redevelopment and management. Based on these results and the ideas developed in two consultation meetings, our team of architects have come up with the first draft plans that we would like to share and discuss with you.

Can’t make the consultations? You can still get involved

We need people to help with leafleting, stalls, legal advice, finances, publicity, planning and so much more. If you have time or skills to share please contact us at info[at]startharingey[dot]co[dot]uk

After a short December break StART is getting busy again! There are lots of ways to get involved, whether that’s coming to our regular general meetings, coming to one of our subgroup meetings, or sending us an email on info@startharingey.co.uk.

If you want to see us this week, maybe you could come to our Environment Subgroup Meeting, Sunday 10th Jan at 11am. Or our Publicity Subgroup Meeting, Sunday 10th Jan at 6pm.

We’ll also be running a stall at the Selby Centre soon – more information coming shortly.

And our next public consultation events are January 27th, 7-9pm, and February 6th, 12-2pm. Come along to have your say, see our architects’ plans, and meet the people involved in the project.

If you’d like to come and have any access requirements, please drop us a line – we want everyone to be able to get involved.

The legal group of StART are looking into the legal format the group should take. Presently the feeling is we will set up as a Community Land Trust (CLT). CLT’s are local organisations set up and run by ordinary people to develop and manage homes and other elements important to that community, like community enterprises, food growing or workspaces. We also need a legal form of company for the CLT to “sit” on. Presently we are investigating both Community Interest Companies (www.cicassociation.org.uk/) and Community Benefit Societies (www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/community-benefit-societies). If you have any experience of either, or setting up a similar type organisation we would really love to hear from you. Or if you want to know more or get involved contact us at woodywood2@blueyonder.co.uk

Following the public consultation events on November 4th it’s an exciting time for the group, and a chance for us to think about your responses to our plans. We have a number of meetings coming up in the next few days, and if you’d like to get more involved in the project we’d love to see you.

As a diverse group of people with a range of skills we’ve split ourselves up into smaller working groups to focus on specific areas of the St Ann’s community project. Coming along to one of our subgroup meetings is a great way to get to grips with the project in detail, and to participate in something you might have skills or interest in.

On Friday there’s a publicity subgroup meeting over dinner, for us to plan ways of bringing the project to public attention.

On Sunday there’s an environment subgroup meeting in the morning to discuss ways to preserve the green spaces on the site.

And on Sunday afternoon there’s a housing subgroup meeting to talk about the homes that could be built.

If you’re not sure which smaller working group is for you, we also have our fortnightly general meeting coming up this coming Wednesday.

Any questions or access needs, please get in touch on info@startharingey.co.uk.

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