Islington Council has announced it will press ahead with improvement works to a popular park near Angel. <br><br>Plans for a makeover at Duncan Terrace Gardens were put on hold, after some residents raised concerns about the consultation for the scheme - particularly surrounding the removal of trees. <br><br>An internal investigation has now concluded the three-year consultation process was inclusive, thorough, and open to all residents to express their views and feed into the design for the park. <br> <br>Councillor Ruth Polling, Islington Council's Executive Member for Leisure and Equalities, said: "Some local residents raised concerns about the public consultation so it was only right that I investigated this. <br><br>"It's particularly important because I wasn't a councillor at the time the consultation began and so wanted to understand what opportunities residents had had to input into the scheme. <br><br>"I'm now satisfied that residents have had a number of opportunities to have their say on the design of the new gardens and many residents have worked really hard with the council to ensure that the designs reflect what the majority of local residents want. <br><br>"However, we have made some minor alterations to the plans which do not affect the overall structure of the park but will mean we can keep more trees. <br><br>"I accept we can't please all our residents all of the time. But this consultation was thorough and everyone had the opportunity to have their say even if they could not all get what they wanted – so the works will now go ahead."<br><br>Duncan Terrace Gardens will be transformed into a colourful oasis with new planting, footpaths, seats and more entrances. <br><br>It follows three years of detailed consultation with local people including doorstep interviews with residents, leaflet drops and events in the park. <br><br>Residents have been informed of the outcome of the review. <br><br>Islington Council will not have to pay for the delays to the works because contractors are working on other sites in the meantime. <br><br>The project at Duncan Terrace Gardens is expected to begin within the next couple of weeks.<br><br>ENDS <br><br>For more information please call Chris Weeks on 020 7527 3032
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009