Community Assets - an email from the Lib Dems

[Adrian Essex]

Please add your voice, by taking part in the survey and, going to:http://bit.ly/CEAssets

Over the past few years there has been a rush by property developers to buy up buildings that were once considered as community assets - pubs, community centres, doctors surgeries, open spaces, churches, schools and a whole range of other old but much valued buildings and sites.

The Localism Act gives residents the opportunity to nominate assets of community value that, once agreed, would give the community a first chance to buy the asset if it was ever put up for sale or for redevelopment.

For example, in Crouch End, the Royal British Legion has being trying to sell the Hornsey branch in Elder Avenue. If the legislation had been available earlier, it would have been possible to have it listed and then local groups could have bid for it before it went to auction.

Incidentally, Liberal Democrat councillor, David Winskill, has been exploring with the Council whether it is not too late to have the building added to Haringey's Community Asset list.

As local councillors, we want to see our community buildings, parks and open spaces protected from future development wherever possible and so we are writing to you to ask which buildings in Crouch End you feel should be on a community asset register.

We have put forward some suggestions, but we want to know what assets are important to you locally. Please add your voice, by taking part in the survey and, going to:http://bit.ly/CEAssets

We want to be able to submit a list of community asset nominations to the Council that is both representative of the community and is as comprehensive as possible. I hope as many people as possible take part in the survey and together we will propose a list of assets to protect the buildings, open spaces and areas that are at the heart of our community.

Thank you for your help.

With kind regards,
Councillor Paul Strang
Liberal Democrat Councillor, Crouch End ward