London Mayor Sadiq Khan has responded to our letter urging him to consider purchasing the Holloway prison site.
The Mayor’s letter highlights the importance of the Council’s planning guidance – the ‘Supplementary Planning Document’ (SPD). In his letter, he writes;
- ‘My officers at the GLA have been in regular contact with both the Ministry of Justice and Islington Council regarding disposal of this site’.
- ‘The draft SPD sets a clear expectation of at least 50% affordable housing… [and] the viability work the council has commissioned demonstrates that this is achievable’.
- ‘I will be consulted on any planning application’.
- ‘The benefit of having such a clear position in the SPD for this site is that we and the Council can be in a strong position to seek the objectives that are important to us, even without acquiring the site.’
Download full letter from Sadiq Khan (pdf).
Community Plan for Holloway has received more than 930 responses from local people, organisations and women in the criminal justice system, sharing their views about Holloway prison. The responses, summarised in Holloway Prison: Community Perspectives, indicates strong support for;
- The land to remain in public ownership
- Genuinely affordable housing
- Community space
- Green space
- Provision of services for women
The original letter from Community Plan for Holloway was signed by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Islington Hands Off Our Public Services, Islington Axe the Housing Act, Islington Trades Union Council, St George & All Saints Church, Reclaim Holloway, Women in Prison, and Unite Union Housing Workers Branch.
