Consultation on Finsbury Park (South Entrance) Public Spaces Protection Order

This consultation is now closed. Thank you to everyone who took part.

We will update this page with the next steps as soon as we can.

What we consulted on

The consultation ran from Tuesday 2 January to Tuesday 13 February 2024. This is a record of what we consulted on.

Overview

The paved area between the South Entrance to Finsbury Park and Lidl (on Seven Sisters Road), has unfortunately been a site for various incidents of criminal activity and anti-social behaviour over the years. These issues include unauthorised vehicle use and parking, drug dealing, loitering, and intimidation directed at park users.

Our unwavering commitment to creating a secure and welcoming environment for all residents and visitors is clear in our vision for Haringey. In alignment with this vision, we are proposing the implementation of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to address the persisting issues of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and criminal activities which have been negatively affecting the park's atmosphere and the safety of those who use it.

In addition to these concerns, the absence of clear ownership or defined rules in the space aggravates the situation as there are no clear indications of proper usage, including, poor pavement markings, the absence of signage and no clear parking restrictions. A PSPO would provide a solution to these issues by restricting access.

In conjunction with partner agencies including the police, we have targeted resources and used several enforcement measures to mitigate the crime and ASB issues. The available evidence indicates that the installation of 2 gates could be instrumental in preventing unlawful entry and activities, thus protecting the well-being of park users and neighbouring businesses.

The proposal

This consultation is asking members of the public, including businesses in the area, for their views on a proposed PSPO that will restrict access by erecting gates to the area adjacent to the south entrance of Finsbury Park. See the location plan contained in the draft PSPO document.

Restricted access will apply at all times and to all persons, except for:

a) Fire brigade, police, or NHS Trust/Foundation staff when in the exercise of their duties

b) Employees, contractors, or agents of statutory undertakers, for example gas, electricity or water, or telecommunications apparatus as defined in the Telecommunications Act 1994 situated in the relevant highway in connection with the laying, erecting, inspection, maintenance, alteration, repair, renewal, or removal of any relevant apparatus

c) Council staff and authorised contractors when in the exercise of their duties

d) Persons using the highway with the permission of on the direction of a duly authorised Council Officer in this regard

e) Lidl to have access for store deliveries

Image

1. Fence return to wall hides blind spot for public, next to vehicle width manual gate for Lidl’s access (gate 1)
2. Fence line goes behind the phone box, leaving 2 to 3 meters of pavement space
3. Vehicle width manual gate (gate 2)
4. Fence to be same height as park perimeter

Further details

• No part of the park itself or any of its entrances will be restricted by the proposed PSPO
• The proposed PSPO will not impose any restrictions on the use of the park at any time
• The metal fencing/gating securing the restricted area within the proposed PSPO will be in keeping with the existing perimeter park fence in height and design. This will assist in maintaining an attractive and welcoming entrance to Finsbury Park
• Section 59 to 75 Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 gives provision for councils to restrict access to public spaces where that route is being used to commit anti-social behaviour. Restricted access would be managed through erecting fencing/gates
• Prior to the proposal there was engagement with residents and businesses, targeted Police patrols, multiple arrests of perpetrators and utilising CCTV to identify crime and ASB within the park and outside the gate. Despite these measures, the problems persisted. An Environmental Visual Audit (Design out crime assessment) was carried out identifying that fencing off the proposed restriction would be the most effective means of achieving the most resilient solution
• The bicycle parking and payphone will not be within the restricted area
• There will be 2 to 3 metres of space for pedestrians on the pavement next to the fenced restricted area
• The proposed PSPO will be in place for 3 years and can be extended beofre the end of that period