6 Lynton Avenue

Finchley

London N12 9JH

30th April 2000

Sydney Chapman

House of Commons

Westminster

Ref: The Williams tower construction project a site at Tally Ho Corner London N12

Dear Mr Chapman,

I would like to draw your attention to the affair of the proposal for a Tower Block at Tally Ho corner in North Finchley London N12, that is being promoted by Barnet Council

The case is remarkable in that it is one of a local authority (a) formulating a proposal with no consultation of residents, with no regard to local needs, and (b) submitting the proposal to itself for planning permission.

The council votes on this matter on party lines. The Labour councillors are, remarkably, in unanimously in favour of this proposal, which demonstrates that this matter is not one of public benefit, but of party interest.

The whole affair is extraordinary, and so extraordinary, that one seeks extraordinary explanations for the behaviour of the council. Since the affair involves payments by building companies, rather unpleasant suggestions come to mind.

When local government fails in its duties so remarkably, voters have the ultimate sanction. However, there are no sanctions that residents take in the short term. Needless to add the Area Forums offer little satisfaction in this regard. It is for this reason that I feel that it is as well that higher authorities take an interest.

A campaign of misinformation continues. Recently, signs have been put up at the site claiming, unashamedly, that

“91% of residents support ……….

You may be aware that the only source for the data on which this claim could be based, are returns from a survey carried out by the council concerning the proposal on the site. No other survey has ever been carried out

About 1000 people replied to the survey questionaire. The population of Barnet is of the order of 200,000. Even if everyone who replied to the survey was in favour of the proposed development, then the maximum figure of approval that could be claimed is of the order of 0.5%.

Thus the claim as stated is dramatically false and is an attempt to deceive.

I appreciate that you would not normally be involved in local affairs, but I feel that this is something of which you should be aware.

I wonder if you could offer any advice on this matter

Yours Faithfully

Philip Bowman

This sign appears to be a joint effort by

London Borough of Barnet Council and two construction companies

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The sign makes the following claim: