Kings Crescent

KC RSG 20 Jan 2026
2026-01-20 19:00 - 20:30 (Europe/London) | Hackney Showroom Space, 4 Murrain Road, London, N4 2BN, United Kingdom
Notes of Kings Crescent Steering Group Meeting held on 20th January 2026

Present:
Cllr Clare Potter (CP) (Chair)
Residents:
PC, KM, EP, PD

In Attendance:
Ron Greenwood (RG)
Joe Stancer (JS)
Carol Squires (CS)
Menekse Saitoglu (MS)
John Morris (JM) (minutes)
Lee Walsh (LW)

LB Hackney
LB Hackney
Source Partnership (ITLA)
Source Partnership (ITLA)
Source Partnership (ITLA)
Mulalley

1.0
Introductions and apologies
Action

Apologies were received from Jill Walker-Murrain, Ellie Virk, Karsten Hartman, Ewan Stone, Alfred Fiorentini, Gouri Ghosh.

2.0
Notes of previous meeting held 23rd October 2025 and any Matters Arising not elsewhere on the agenda

One action on page 4 of the previous minutes remains: Tom to speak to MUF re play facilities . LW to remind Tom (Roberts of HHB). The rest of the minutes were agreed.

LW

3.0
Project update – Lee Walsh

3.1

3.2

LW gave an update on Mulalley’s activities since the last meeting and proposed timings for future events. Presentation slides are attached with these minutes. [Slides HERE]

Questions/comments

EP noted that the hoarding for DZ6S seemed to be going up. RG confirmed struts are in place. LW to further investigate this.

KM raised the concerns that may be expressed at the loss of the play street for 3 months. LW clarified that there will not be a loss of space but that there needs to be temporary access from Green Lanes provided for emergency vehicles as a result of the sewer diversion works. CP noted concerns and asked that the changes to the play street happen asap to minimise disruption during the Spring and Summer seasons.

EP addressed the general issue of children’s play and complaints from some residents about noise. In the longer term, can residents be assured that LBH, when marketing new flats, will make it clear that they are situated on an estate with many families?

RG – new MUGA plans will start to be developed in the Spring. LBH are aware of how intensively the courtyards are used. There will be a management strategy in place for public realm as part of the planning application.

PC asked how the decommissioning of parking spaces will be managed. RG – some spaces have already been taken out of use. The process will be phased and LBH think there will be enough spaces for existing users. Regen. Team are working closely with the Parking team. RG and JS will hold surgeries to deal with queries and concerns with the proposed parking restrictions, supplemented by Source drop ins (first Wednesday of every month).

LW

4.0
Feedback from 2/12/25 exhibition – Joe Stancer

4.1

4.2

JS presented the outcomes of December’s consultations. The comments from the exhibition held on 2/12 were generally positive about the development and the survey on brick colours resulted in an overwhelming vote in favour of the lighter colour (57 in favour of the lighter brick, 7 in favour of the current, darker red colour). There was also an invitation to RSG to suggest ways to canvass views on the proposed Weston Court, Green Lanes façade artwork. See attached slides.

EP asked about wider publicity for artwork ideas. Could the Youth Club be involved? KM suggested a history of the estate as a theme; she had been impressed by a mural at Regents Park Estate, LB Camden that featured people who used to live there. CP noted the work that went into the history project and the photography project 10 years ago.

PC thought the model at the exhibition was very helpful to help residents understand the phase 3&4 plans.

CS asked how the outcomes from the exhibition are to be communicated, noting that residents have expressed frustration in the past at being consulted but then not finding out the outcomes of that consultation.

It was agreed that feedback should be produced before news of the outcome of the planning application. In order to do this more quickly, LW offered Mulalley to produce the publicity from material written by LBH.

LBH/Mulalley

5.0
Social Value

5.1
CS observed that residents were unsure about how they can influence social value contributions.

LW – Christina Byrne, Social Value Manager at Mulalley has been in touch with KM re some funding for allotments and will be making further contact soon to scope out what Mulalley can offer. CS – can she come to the March RSG? LW to check her availability over the next 2 months to get KC social value engagement moving.

LW reminded the meeting that Mulalley have one fund to spread across the 3 projects it is working on in Hackney at the moment, although KC is the largest. There will be significantly more money available once formally in contract and on site. Mulalley currently fund the local food bank. The meeting called for Mulalley to publicise more what it is funding; LW to co-ordinate this information for the RSG. As before, LW suggested that residents draw up a ‘shopping list’ of needs for Mulalley to use to target its funding. EP made the point that similar exercises have taken place in the past and she would feel reluctant to ask everyone again to elicit the same information.

Getting residents involved in these kinds of exercises has proved difficult. KM suggested setting up a stall outside Hackney Showroom to gather views. LW warned of managing expectations.

LW

LW

6.0
ITLA update, RSG terms of reference – Source

6.1
CS expressed It was noted that there were more apologies from residents than attended. Our summary paper (attached) indicates that general motivations for being an RSG member and attending meetings was to receive updated information and to be kept informed. Source can offer induction training/workships for residents interested in becoming RSG members. It was agreed that Source will target publicity/invitations to unrepresented blocks (e.g. social housing blocks at the west end of Murrain Road).

Residents at this meeting all agreed that they found the meetings very useful, otherwise they would not know what’s going on. JM suggested that now that Mulalley updates with clear presentations are a key part of the agenda, residents might find attending meetings more informative.

It was agreed that an open event in the summer to mark the completion of the planning process would be organised to attract and inform residents.

CS reminded the meeting that Source will continue its drop ins every first Wednesday of each month. Timings to be reviewed, to 4.30 to 6.30 or 5.00 to 7.00, subject to the availability of HS space.

Source

Source, LBH, Mulalley

7.0
AOB

7.1
i) PD reported that the run off from jet-washed wheels of construction vehicles could be causing drain blockages. LW to raise this with the relevant team, look at fitting silt filters to drains and carry out a drain survey. Mulalley have permission from Thames Water to deal with drain blockages now.

ii) PD also raised the issue of the slope around the new DZ6S hoardings that could become very muddy and difficult to navigate when access to the bus stop on Green Lanes is restricted by the hoarding. LW to check this on site.

iii) MS reported that most questions she receives are around start on site dates. LW could not provide a definite date as the time the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) may take to provide approval is unknown. But the aspiration is still to start on site towards the end of 2026/start of 2027.

KM asked how long it may take to mobilise for a start on site once BSR approval is received. LW – not long but contracts with sub contractors and final procurements will need to completed after approvals, which could take approx. 2 months.

iv) EP asked why the lights on hoardings had to be so bright and why some are pink, some white. LW will check with relevant team; some may still be waiting for shrouds to be fitted. Also to check colours!

v) EP also noted that leaseholders’ estate lighting bills have increased by approx. £400 p.a. Are Mulalley using estate lighting that is paid for by owners? LW confirmed not.

LW

LW

LW

8.0
Date of next meeting
Tuesday 17/3/26 at 7pm

KC RSG 17 March 2026
2026-03-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Hackney Showroom, Murrain Road, London, N4 2GD
Notes of Kings Crescent Steering Group Meeting held on 17th March 2026

Present:
Cllr Clare Potter (CP) (Chair)
Residents:
RB, JWM, GG, ES, KM, EP, PD, EV, KH

In Attendance:
Ron Greenwood (RG)
Joe Stancer (JS)
Carol Squires (CS)
John Morris (JM) (minutes)
Lee Walsh (LW)
Christina Byrne (CB)

LB Hackney
LB Hackney
Source Partnership (ITLA)
Source Partnership (ITLA)
Mulalley
Mulalley

1.0
Introductions and apologies
Action

Apologies were received from Alfred Fiorentini, Paul Cushion, Menekse Saitoglu

2.0
Notes of previous meeting held 20th January 2026 and any Matters Arising not elsewhere on the agenda

2.1

Actions from last minutes:
· Discussions on play facilities ongoing between Mulalley, HHB, LBH
· Footpath has been redirected by Datchworth Court following discussions around DZ6S hoarding
· Feedback from last year’s exhibitions has been incorporated in the Statement of Community Involvement in planning application.
· Invitation for CB to attend this meeting made and she is here
· Source drop ins continuing starting at 4.30 now
· Construction vehicle mud-washing run off now being filtered and Mulalley have an agreement with Thames Water to drain straight into mains

EP raised the issue of lights on the hoardings that were discussed at the last meeting. Some are still very bright and shine into flat windows. LW -highway regulations mean that there needs to be white lights illuminating footpaths, red lights on roadways and a certain lux level maintained. RB – lights shine into her bedroom in Theobalds Ct. KH – Casbeard St seems dark. LW to investigate lighting on Casbeard St.

LW

3.0
Project update – Lee Walsh & Ron Greenwood

3.1

3.2

There is not much new to report from the last meeting. Ground investigations continue; many obstructions, e.g. under the DZ6S site and an old plant room from the towers under Casbeard St. and unregistered services uncovered. Mulalley are undertaking a mapping of the entire estate, which takes time. The water table is high as a result of the wet winter and ground conditions are poor across the whole estate. Concrete that has been unearthed is stockpiled to test if it is contaminated and if it isn’t to be re-purposed.

Questions/comments

i) KH raised the issue of mosquitos that have been a major problem, over summer months but also over the winter too. ES endorsed this, stating that agencies (unknown?) have been investigating the infestation. Bob Miller (Project Manager) is aware of this and is ensuring that, as far as possible, there is no ponding or static water. JWM mentioned the constant high level of standing water in front of the old boiler room. Again, Bob is aware of this and is striving to mitigate impact from this potential mosquito infestation.

ii) EV asked if more notice can be given when noisy works are planned. She recently tried to contact Joanna Kaye, RLO when some loud excavations started and did not receive a response. LW accepted that messaging could be better and Malcolm Stephenson, Senior Project Manager, is working with LBH to agree more effective communications plan. JS confirmed that letters are being sent out to the flats worst affected by the ongoing works. ES asked what hours Mulalley are contracted to work within. LW – 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Mon-Fri and 8.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturdays. In response to ES’s observation that some works went on until 8.00 pm., LW noted that UKPN are not covered by Mulalley’s agreed hours, so this would have been their contractors.

iii) RG updated the meeting on progress with the planning application. This is due to be decided at a Planning Committee in late April. He asked the RSG if members would endorse a statement of support from the group, read out by CP.

KH asked if the record of community consultation included the change of brick colour on some new blocks. RG confirmed that it did.

ES suggested that the 4th bullet point in the list of aspirations: “A well managed and maintained neighbourhood where incidences of anti social behaviour are dealt with effectively,” should be more accurately classified within a management area of responsibility and therefore not a design aspiration. It was agreed to omit this bullet point.

EV stated she wouldn’t be comfortable signing this statement.

KM stated that this was the first time she has seen this document. CS – this is a slightly amended version of a statement that was agreed to and signed by CP and a number of other members for the original planning application. KH suggested this was actually less contentious than the original.

It was agreed that an amended version of the statement would be circulated for members to have another week to comment.

Source

4.0
Introduction to Christina Byrne, Social Value lead at Mulalley

4.1

CB introduced herself and gave an overview of Mulalley’s interpretation of ‘social value.’ This is focused on skills, work experience, employment opportunities and, sometimes directly and sometimes via local charities, is presented via schools and colleges. Mulalley already run a work experience programme across Hackney for 16-24 year olds. Mulalley also use their supply chain to employ local labour. They also partner with Hackney Food bank to provide donations, financial and in kind. RB has provided a list of ideas for projects with the TRA and young people, including trips off the estate while there is no play area/MUGA. Views from young people have been garnered from doorknocking across the estate.

CB – are there any other suggestions from members? It is important to provide as wide a range of choices as possible across age ranges and the local demographic. But it is also important that initiatives funded by Mulalley Social Value Team do not replicate what LBH management should be providing (e.g. maintenance of open spaces).

KM suggested that the success of the allotment/gardening group could be built on by helping generate interest in wider planting opportunities across the estate. CB gave volunteer days from within Mulalley staff as an example of how support in kind can be provided. Hackney Foodbank also has volunteering opportunities.

CP suggested the elders group is a good contact for a different segment of the Kings Crescent population. RB raised the feeling from the doorknocking exercises that many KC-resident elders do not want to attend the Friday lunches in Hackney Showroom. HS are still delivering some lunches on the estate. HS also organise other activities, e.g. over 60’s disco.

EP asked if Mulalley can generate a list of projects that have had success in the past to stimulate ideas that could work here. CP suggested this accompanies the list that LW showed the meeting of projects already funded.

LW noted the proposal for a celebration, possibly a barbecue to mark the milestone of the new planning approval. This could take the place of the next scheduled RSG date. KH asked if there could be a digger available for children who are excited by construction vehicles.

EV noted that there is an appetite for residents to meet each other more. Estate-wide social events might help promote this. CS added that the Source drop ins are available for residents who do not want to attend formal meetings.

KM acknowledged that language issues sometimes prevent greater levels of involvement. Turkish-speaking parents often bring their children to interpret but many are now getting involved in the allotment group (now there are 69 allotment beds in the phase 1 courtyards with many new people involved).

Much communication between residents at the moment is conducted via WhatsApp groups. KH – there are 127 members of the Leaseholders Action Group, with 100+ communicating on whats app. He added that there is a sense of demoralisation amongst residents in the north side ‘new’ blocks, particularly leaseholders who have experienced many issues with the management of the common areas, in particular the lifts. RB is in the process of setting up an estate-wide whats app group through the TRA.

Mulalley (CB?)

5.0
Source update

5.1
CS – drop ins still useful, held on the first Wednesday of each month, 4.30 to 6.30 in Hackney Showroom. The February drop in highlighted the appearance of the hoarding around the DZ6S site and the closure of the footpath. Credit is due to Mulalley for responding quickly to this. JS will attend the drop in on 1/4/26 to deal with queries, concerns about the proposed temporary parking rearrangements.

Source can also be a conduit for social value ideas that residents might communicate to us. We have raised the opportunities presented by the proposals for artwork or an enlivening of the Weston Court Green Lanes façade.

Further suggestions were raised for public displays: JWM – could we use the material that is available on the history of KC? Stories on hoardings? EV suggested that a better public mapping of the blocks would be welcomed.

6.0
AOB

6.1
ES sought clarification on the Weston Court Green Lanes elevation proposal. RG – the proposals at the moment are that there would be artwork that is co-designed between residents and a professional artist. CB has an artist contact who has produced work in Finsbury Park. KH noted the well known mural in Dalston and KM the artwork at Regents Park Estate that features ex residents. She suggested trying out ideas on the hoardings that currently envelop the site.

6.2
ES asked if lessons are being learnt from the experience of residents in the phase 1&2 blocks in terms of design, installation of services etc.? KH suggested that if LBH can confirm that the same issues will not affect the new blocks, the fact that these issues have been acknowledged and efforts made to ensure they do not repeat, might improve morale slightly amongst the current leaseholders. RG confirmed that LBH are of course very much aware of the issues with lifts etc. and will continue to learn lessons from phase 1&2 and strive to make sure these problems do not reoccur.

7.0
Date of next meeting

7.1
It was proposed that the June meeting would take the form of a wider community event. Current dates already occupied include 14/6 for a TRA family fun day and 11/7 for Hackney Showroom’s street party. Other suggestions included an early evening summer event, potentially on a Friday.

Kings Crescent Residents Steering Group

Meeting to be held on
Tuesday 17th March 2026 starting at 7.00pm
Hackney Showroom

AGENDA

1
Introductions and Apologies

Cllr Potter (Chair)

2
Minutes from the last meeting 20th January and matters arising

Cllr Potter (Chair)

3
Project update & RSG support for planning application
Lee Walsh, (Mulalley)

4
Introduction to Social Value Manager Christina Byrne
(Mulalley) and Discussion

Cllr Potter

5
ITLA Up-date
Carol & John
(Source Partnership)

7
AOB
Cllr Potter (Chair)

8
Date of next meeting
Cllr Potter (Chair)
