Hornsey Town Hall Construction Steering Group Minutes – Wednesday 27 March 2024

DRAFT VERSION – minutes will be approved by the group at next meeting

1. Attendees

The following were in attendance:

• Amanda Carrara; Chris Currer (Crouch End Festival)
• Cllr Cressida Johnson (Crouch End ward)
• Sheila Kavanagh (Hornsey Town Hall Trust)
• Mark Afford (Crouch End Conservation Area Advisory Committee)
• Lewis Freeman (Crouch End Traders)
• Tayna Farrell; Martin Smith; Dritan Quarri (Ardmore)
• Scott Lau; Angela Walsh; Alison Boulter (Far East Consortium)
• Katy Ghahremani (Make Architects)
• Miranda Pattinson (Residents)
• Phil Briscoe (Chair); Vincent Carroll-Battaglino (SEC Newgate UK)

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from: Robbie McNaugher; Samuel Uff; Kathy Smith (leaving the Group – no longer lives in the area); Andrew Major; Benjamin Lesser; Susan Cooper; Cllr Luke Cawley- Harrison; Graeme Jennings

3. Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting (July 2023) were approved.

4. Items carried over

• TF confirmed that the drawings for the area at the rear near the library were available in hard copy.
• SEC Newgate gave the council’s update on kiosk removal. The process had started but there was a need “not to go too hard” as Camden Council had costs awarded against it for similar action recently.

5. Ardmore update

• Handover of affordable housing is anticipated at the end of April, Loft apartments 10 May.
• The anticipated last date for overall handover including all documentation and snagging is 10 May. This includes outdoor areas and fountain. Fit-out will follow.
• Tree felling: three trees on site will need to be removed due to health of the trees, two others need some works. This is in the planning stages so not confirmed, some work may be after 10 May.
• Not all original Crittall doors could be put back, due to updated fire and safety regulations.
• Historic England planning items have been discharged.

6. FEC update

• FEC is in the process of considering the CUAG, but this timetable must be consistent with fitout. Action: refer back to agreement regarding membership and timescales.
• Regarding opening of HTH, previous unreliable handover dates and construction delays have had an impact on the way we plan, procure & fitout the next phases. Our intention is to open areas in phases but as early as possible. This is currently being discussed with council.
• Opening of HTH, hotel, restaurant areas may be in phases.
• A planning application to introduce a path on the green is likely as people are walking across it and disturbing the grass.

7. Discussion

• Hornsey Library has been partially closed due to presence of RAAC. FEC has not been consulted by Council. There is a question over where any construction material/site would be during repairs. Action: Ardmore to approach the Library about this.
• Barclays has vacated its site in Hornsey on the Town Hall green. The bank has 6 months left on its lease there. FEC will enquire with the site owner.

8. Next meeting

A date in May will be considered to coincide with overall handover.

9. AOB

None