Wildlife Circus

  A planning application for 16–24 Orsman Road, London N1 5QJ concerns a substantial development site on the northern side of Orsman Road, adjoining the Regent’s Canal in Hackney, making it strategically important from an ecological perspective, due to its role as a wildlife corridor and known foraging area for bats. During the planning process, concerns were raised by Gideon Corby from Nature Works   regarding the potential impacts of the development on biodiversity, particularly bats. Surveys identified significant bat activity within and around the site, resulting in the inclusion of mitigation measures: planning conditions intended to reduce adverse effects. A notable condition is Condition 9.1.53, which states that, prior to the first occupation of the development, details of the following must be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority: Technical specifications of the ambient light sensors (ALS) used for operating internal blinds and curtain...

    Fircroft today                   It is possible that a further planning application affecting Hillcroft may be submitted in the future, perhaps when we least expect it or when many of us are away on holiday. In anticipation of that possibility, it is important that the history of Hillcroft is properly documented and made publicly available. The heritage report submitted with the RHAAC application was, in many respects, inadequate. One of its most significant omissions was the failure to acknowledge that Powell House at Hillcroft was named in honour of Margaret Joyce Powell OBE . This omission is particularly painful because it reflects a wider pattern in which women's contributions are rendered invisible. Margaret Joyce Powell OBE was one of the founder members of Hillcroft, and Powell House was officially opened in her honour by Joan Lester MP. To omit any reference to this history is not merely an oversight; it obscure...