| Briefing Note from Save London's Theatres
Campaign |
Subject: St. George's Theatre
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2005 19:48:19 -0000
From: <contactus@savelondonstheatres.org.uk>
To: <dan.skinner@btinternet.com>
Dear Dan Skinner,
ST. GEORGE'S THEATRE, TUFNELL PARK.
I do apologise for this belated reply and thank you for
your e.mail and your interest in saving St. George's. Thank
you too for the efforts you have made in obtaining facts
from the Charity and Church Commissioners. We have had this
information for a long time and indeed, had a meeting here
with a representative from the Charity Commission. Also
with the local M.P. who is supportive. We also distributed
about two thousand leaflets; had meetings with a group of
supporters who subsequently set up the St. George's Theatre
Development Trust.
We began campaigning for St. George's in 1999 and have maintained
our formal 'objection' to any "Change of Use"
with Islington B.C. We have managed to discourage potential
buyers by direct contact advising them that we would oppose
any Change of Use. Just before last Christmas (December
2003) I met with Roger Allen the Islington Planning
Officer dealing with the present Application from 'House
On The Rock' as well as with their representative and their
architect. The Planning Advisor of The Theatres Trust was
also there.
I put forward a list of questions and concerns to which
it was agreed, we would receive a response. These were all
related to performances taking place on a frequent basis
alongside the Church services. We think it is impractical
but if all else fails we are doing our utmost to make it
difficult by getting conditions added to planning permission,
if given. Roger Allen will, we believe,be making this recommendation
to Islington.
The Planning Committee meeting for January 18th has now
been postponed until February 14th due to many complaints
to Islington and our own queries. Meanwhile, we are giving
what support we can to the valiant group now in occupation
at the Theatre.
You will be interested to know the the finances of 'House
On The Rock' are uncertain because they are actually advertising
on the internet to sell St. George's!!! Meanwhile, we will
once again be making strong objections to the proposal for
the additional new building and other points.
Finally, with regard to legal representation, barristers
who specialise in Planning and who can afford or are willing
to give us free time and work are thin on the ground. We
have faced Q.C.s at Public Inquiries over the years with
varying success and most recently, for example, we won the
cases for the Shaw Theatre and Clapham Grand while losing
the fight for the Westminster and Shell Theatre(by Cecil
Beaton).
Please let us have your contact numbers and address and
I will get in touch. Our 'phone number is 0207670 0270.
And if you have 'Change of Use'.
With very best wishes
Yours sincerely,
John Levitt
Chairman- SAVE LONDON'S THEATRES CAMPAIGN |
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