The Planning Sub Committee B of Islington Council met on Monday 6 October 2025 to discuss a planning application for Wilfred Fienburgh Court. The committee unanimously approved the application, which sought to install security gates and railings, relocate refuse bins, and reposition a vehicle barrier.

Wilfred Fienburgh Court, 77 Carleton Road, London, N7 0EX

The committee granted planning permission for the installation of railings and a fobbed access entrance gate to securely enclose the existing entrance porch at Wilfred Fienburgh Court. The application also included the relocation of refuse bins to the side of the vehicle access route and the associated repositioning of the vehicle barrier to allow for refuse access.

The proposal was presented by the planning officer, who explained that the works aimed to improve security and address anti-social behaviour (ASB) at the council-owned residential estate, which is located within the Tufnell Park Conservation Area. The main elements of the proposal included:

• Security Gates and Railings: Bronze-finished stainless steel gates and railings would be installed around the undercroft entrance to the communal porch, providing a secure pedestrian access point.
• Refuse Bin Relocation: Existing refuse bins would be moved from their current location adjacent to the highway to a new, secure, single-storey enclosed refuse store positioned against a blank wall of No. 1 St George's Avenue.
• Vehicle Barrier Relocation: The existing vehicle barrier on the access road would be moved further down the road to facilitate easier access for refuse trucks to the new bin store.

During the meeting, Councillor Benali Hamdache, Leader of the Independent and Green Group, asked clarifying questions about the design and function of the relocated vehicle barrier, and whether pedestrian access would be maintained. The planning officer confirmed that the barrier would be similar in design and purpose to the existing one and that pedestrian access through the undercroft to the car park would remain, albeit secured by the new gate.

An objector, a resident of Wilfred Fienburgh Court, raised concerns about the validity of a petition that had been submitted in support of the application, stating that many residents had not signed it. The objector highlighted ongoing issues with ASB and argued that access to the car park should be restricted to residents only. Further concerns were raised about the relocation of the refuse bins, including the potential loss of greenery, increased visibility of the entrance, and the possibility of rubbish accumulation. The objector also questioned the feasibility of refuse vehicles accessing the car park via St. George's Avenue, which they described as too narrow, and suggested that relocating the vehicle barrier was unnecessary. They proposed retaining the current bin location and installing a combination gate for both pedestrian and refuse access, which they believed would be more cost-effective and require less construction.

The applicant explained that the primary driver for the project was to address ASB, particularly in the undercroft area, and that an environmental audit had identified fly-tipping as an issue. The proposed secure bin store and improved sightlines were intended to deter ASB and dumping. The applicant confirmed that the undercroft area had been identified as a hotspot for ASB based on four to five reports received. They also noted that a fully gated enclosure had been considered but was not supported during pre-application discussions. The applicant committed to ongoing engagement with residents and exploring additional measures, such as CCTV, to address concerns.

The applicant clarified that the project originated from resident reports of ASB and was progressed through the Borough Investment Panel as a Section 106 initiative, with newsletters and flyers distributed to gather resident input. The applicant also committed to meeting with ward councillors and residents to discuss further improvements.

Councillor Diarmaid Ward proposed approving the application, seconded by Councillor Martin Klute, Chair of the Planning Committee. The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission, subject to conditions and informatives outlined in the officer's report. The decision was based on the assessment that the proposal was policy compliant, adequately consulted upon, and would benefit the long-term security and refuse management arrangements at Wilfred Fienburgh Court.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Ruth Hayes, Chair of the Environment, Climate Change and Transport Scrutiny Committee. Other attendees included Councillor Martin Klute, Councillor Clare Jeapes (Recycling Champion), Councillor Diarmaid Ward, and Councillor Benali Hamdache (Leader of the Independent and Green Group).

The decision to grant planning permission was made in accordance with the council's planning policies and the development plan, including the London Plan¹ and Islington's Local Plan². The proposal was considered to preserve the character of the Tufnell Park Conservation Area³.