How the new neighbourhood will look

LABOUR was this week accused of trying to play both sides of the big debate over the future of the O2 Centre site – as its election candidate cited his predecessor’s vote against the scheme on a campaign leaflet.

The same bulletin issued on behalf of Tommy Gale did not mention that all but one of the Labour councillors sitting on Camden’s planning committee voted in support of the proposals for a skyline-changing development.

It is understood the ruling party are confident of holding a seat in the South Hampstead ward at a council by-election today (Thursday), regardless of the divided opinions over the plans.

The ballot was triggered by Labour councillor Will Prince’s decision to walk away from the Town Hall after less than a year in the role, ahead of a work move to the United States. Mr Prince was the only Labour councillor to oppose the outline of the O2 scheme at the committee stage.

The new development will be 16 storeys at its highest and see the demolition of the shopping centre in Finchley Road. In his campaign leaflet,

Mr Gale celebrated Mr Prince’s position in red text – without telling voters how the rest of his party backed the scheme.

Liberal Democrat leader of the opposition Councillor Tom Simon – who voted against – said: “Labour councillors can say they ‘share the concerns of residents’ about the O2 development but it is meaningless if when it comes to a vote they push it through.”

Tory candidate Don Williams said, if elected, he would “demand a meeting with Landsec [the developers] and Camden planners over the proposed over­development, and the lack of affordable shopping facilities and a lack of services”.

Green candidate Lorna Jane Russell said she had submitted objections to the initial planning application, adding: “Actions here speak much louder than words.”

She defected in 2021 and said that during her time in Labour she had been “reprimanded for raising early concerns about the O2 Centre proposals – indeed having the freedom to speak out on large developments was one of the key reasons I left the party.”

Mr Gale said yesterday (Wednesday): “Labour councillors in South Hampstead have consistently stood up for residents’ concerns, either voting against the planning application or speaking up on behalf of residents at the planning meeting earlier this year.”

He added: “If elected, I want to hold the developers to account, so they deliver on hard-won commitments which local Labour councillors have been pushing for all year.”

These included, he said, a green space, delivering a new GP surgery and investment for local train stations.

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