This is our recent email to the email list of 400 plus.
Dear Members,
It is some time since the last IARA Newsletter in July. However, with the distractions of the hot weather and, for many people, the holiday season coming to an end, it’s back to work and, inevitably, to dealing with planning issues.
- Planning
We appreciate that IARA is not just about planning matters and that the sharing of information, the offer of items and support on the WhatsApp Group are central to our functioning. And many people in the area display little interest in planning matters. That is until they are appalled at the outcome of some decisions.
These include the proposed very densely populated hostel over McDonalds and the decision regarding the redevelopment of the garages in Raglan St with its hugely negative impact on neighbours. And, most of all, the decision of the Camden Planning Committee to approve the plans for Regis Road, which include the Camden Film Quarter’s massive studio building, tower blocks nearly twice the height of Monmouth House and a smaller, enclosed recycling centre with council tenants housed above it.
One thing that really seems to have generated a lot of local concern is the fire hazard arising from this, particularly in view of the high number of fires reported in recycling centres across London (an astonishing10 each week)
Some people characterise the decisions of the planning committee as business as usual whereby Camden prefer developers’ demands over local interests.
So the current work is that a number of organisations in the area, some with overlapping membership with IARA, are exploring the possibilities of challenging the decision of the planning committee. We should be clear that the committee’s decision has not yet been ratified by the full Council, and any work done now (which includes approaches to the Mayor’s office and our GLA councillor) is precautionary. We have been attending while making it clear we do not represent a decided policy by IARA on such a challenge.
So the issue now of what role IARA should play in the debate and any action that might arise.
There are in fact two different aspects which it might be useful to keep clear although they overlap and interact.
The first one is simply the methodological one of how we as IARA should come to a decision about the position that we take in this debate.
We have always operated on the basis of a consensus of local opinion – not a simple majority but one which is very widely or almost universally held.
This has led to a feeling by some people that we have been less dynamic/assertive than we might have been, but it has also allowed IARA to function in all areas in a friendly and non-conflictual way. We would welcome comments from members about this aspect: How should we agree the position of IARA?
The second one is a discussion about the merits of the scheme and the challenge of getting involved. A number of other residents associations who are deeply concerned about the Regis road planning decision are willing to sign up to a legal challenge if that becomes necessary. IARA is the association most closely affected and we conducted a balanced survey of residents and established that there are deep concerns – particularly about the height of buildings and the danger posed by the recycling centre plans. There have been a number of other surveys and petitions expressions similar concerns and objections.. This is in addition to the objections made through Camden’s own portal.
Almost everyone expresses support for the principal of development on the site especially the provision of affordable housing. The opposition is to the size, the implications for the area and the issue of the fire hazards below residential flats and opposite a primary school.
We welcome the views of members.
2 .Police Liaison
You’ll find attached John’s report of the latest Safer Neighbourhood Panel meeting.
John has been attending meetings and liaising with the local police on behalf of IARA for nearly 20 years, and feels it’s time someone else took on the role. He’s done brilliant work, and it’s really important because this is the forum where we can report local issues of crime and antisocial behaviour and sometimes have them given a higher priority by the police.
Please let us know if you might consider taking on this role from next January and we can put you in touch with John to find out more.
Below is what John writes:
“Future of SNT Liaison for IARA
On a personal note, I took a look at when I filed my first report on SNT meetings in Kentish Town. The earliest I found was for December 2006 which is roughly when Safer Neighbourhood policing was developed and given resources, which means I am coming up to 20 years of undertaking this role on behalf of IARA.
I feel it is now time to ‘pass on the truncheon’. So, I will be standing down from the role at the next IARA AGM which is due in January 2027. This gives me time to say farewell to my colleagues on the Panel and to find time for a successor and arrange a handover.
I have drafted a short note outlining what the role involves to help those who might be interested and am happy to chat with anyone about the role.
It has been a fascinating and generally very enjoyable experience and one in which I have learned a lot. It has also been a pleasure and a privilege to work with the Police and represent IARA over 20 years.
Time to hand over and move on …
General description of the role:
Attend the meetings of the Kentish Town North and South Safer Neighbourhood Panel to represent IARA.
Liaison with IARA to report any concerns and incidents to the SNT on an ongoing basis.
Meetings are generally every 2 months, usually on Thursdays from 18.00 to 20.00 at Willingham Close TRA Hall, Leighton Road, about a 5 minute walk from the tube station. They are relatively informal meetings with a Chair and an agenda but discussions are very free-flowing and open.
At each meeting the SNT provide information about police operations over the preceding months and present statistical information and panel members can ask questions.
Each panel member in turn presents details of incidents and concerns for their area which are open for comment and discussion.
Future priorities for the SNT are agreed by those attending at the end of each meeting.
After each meeting whoever attends prepares a note for IARA to distribute to members.
Outside of the meetings there are occasional updates to read and surveys to complete.
I have found it useful, and would suggest it is essential for whoever takes on this role, to keep up to date by subscribing to Met Engage which updates on police operations. www.metengage.co.uk. (Anyone can sign in to this for updates and I have covered it in previous reports)
Overall, the role is interesting and fulfilling. I would say it requires an inquiring and open mind in matters relating to policing and crime, tenacity and quite a lot of patience at the meetings.”
3. Camden consultations
Draft Statement of Gambling Policy 2026–2029 and updated Camden Local Area Profile.
Monday 3 August 2026 to Sunday 25 October 2026.
We welcome views from residents, businesses, gambling operators, responsible authorities, community organisations and anyone with an interest in gambling licensing or gambling-related harm in Camden.
The consultation documents can be viewed below:
- Draft Statement of Gambling Policy 2026–2029
- Draft Camden Local Area Profile 2026–2029
- Summary of proposed changes
Please submit your response by completing the consultation survey All responses must be received by Sunday 25 October 2026.
Have your say on Camden’s draft Clean Air Action Plan 2027–2030 – respond by 7 September
We look forward to hearing back from some of you, especially on the Regis Road planning issue, and the police liaison role.
D & D
Inkerman Area Residents Association Limited
Registered in England No. 10075818 Registered Office: 31 Alma Street, London, NW5 3DH
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MINUTES OF THE Kentish Town Safer Neighbourhood Panel Meeting 18 June 2026
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