On 23rd April, Islington Council issued a statement declaring that, due to economic uncertainty and in response to strong community opposition, the redevelopment plans for the Finsbury Leisure Centre site were to be withdrawn. This decision was formally confirmed at a meeting of the Council Executive on the evening of 24th April 2025.
On 23rd April, Islington Council issued a statement declaring that, due to economic uncertainty and in response to strong community opposition, the redevelopment plans for the Finsbury Leisure Centre site were to be withdrawn. This decision was formally confirmed at a meeting of the Council Executive on the evening of 24th April 2025.
EC1VOICES has expressed its appreciation in a formal letter to Councillor Una O’Halloran, Leader of the Council. During the meeting, EC1VOICES campaigner Michael Riggs publicly thanked Cllr O’Halloran for her leadership and the sound judgement shown in withdrawing the scheme.
The proposed development, which was still at the planning application stage, was costing the Council approximately £363,000 per month, with £10.56 million already spent. Exiting the scheme at this current “Stage 3,” before committing further resources under “Stage 4,” was described as timely and prudent. EC1VOICES have long challenged the Council’s financial assumptions, highlighted in particular the overly optimistic valuations attached to the private housing component of the development.
Addressing Cllr O’Halloran directly, Riggs asked,
“The chair’s public announcement stated that along with modernisation of the leisure centre, the football pitches will now be protected and improved. Given that since 2007 there have been three abortive attempts to build on the pitches, can the executive give a formal assurance that the pitches will now be protected for the long term?”
Cllr O’Halloran responded by promising a formal statement of intention to protect the pitches, a commitment warmly received by those in attendance.
EC1VOICES, under the leadership of Eva Guerra, has been supported by an extraordinary network of residents, footballers, organisations, and expert allies. Highlights of the campaign include national media coverage following the endorsement of football legend Les Ferdinand, active support from the City of London Football Club, and strong advocacy from the London Playing Fields Foundation.
Hundreds of individuals and organisations submitted objections to the plans, including key contributions from Sport England and the Football Association.
Alice Roberts and the team from CPRE London provided vital planning advice and support throughout the campaign. Legal experts from the Public Interest Law Centre (PILC) and Landmark Chambers contributed significantly to ensuring greater transparency around planning decisions, including the successful release of key Rights to Light information.
Philip Smith of Smith Marston prepared a detailed and constructive analysis of the Council-commissioned daylight and sunlight report, offering invaluable technical insights that informed the campaign’s response.
The Council’s updated commitment states that it will:
“…invest to modernise the existing leisure centre, protect and improve the sports pitches – making them more accessible and inclusive to maximise their use – consider a new neighbourhood health hub…”
Cllr O’Halloran has welcomed continued collaboration with EC1VOICES on these goals.
After 18 years of uncertainty, EC1VOICES now looks forward to working constructively with the Council to safeguard the pitches and protect this precious and rare open space for present and future generations.
