St Luke’s Gardens
Public Consultation Analysis
Det ai l ed P lann in g A pp l icat ion Su p port ing Docu m ent | 12 Jun e 2 0 09
St Luke’s Gardens Consultation
Summary of results - questionnaires and consultation event
The following is a summary of both the public consultation event held in Finsbury Leisure
Centre on Thursday 05 March 2009 and completed questionnaires returned to LBI
Greenspace from the postal distribution of flyer and questionnaires to advertise the
public consultation event. A full breakdown of both questionnaires and feedback forms is
also provided in the report. A total of 49 questionnaires were returned to Islington
Greenspace by Friday 22 May, and 29 feedback forms completed as part of the
consultation – a total of 78 responses [note that not all questionnaire/feedback returns
answered all questions].
Questions results summary
Do you support the proposal for a new entrance into St Luke’s Gardens adjacent to
Ironmonger Row Baths?
Yes
Maybe
No
Total
65
5
5
75
86.6%
6.7%
6.7%
100%
Do you think that the proposals will improve access to the Gardens?
Yes
Maybe
No
Total
64
5
5
74
86.5%
6.75%
6.75%
100%
Do you think the proposals will help make the Gardens and adjacent streets feel
safer?
Yes
Maybe
No
Total
38
27
10
75
50.7%
36.0%
13.3%
100%
Overall, do you support the proposed improvements to St Luke’s Gardens?
Yes
Maybe
No
Total
57
9
7
73
78.1%
12.3%
9.6%
100%
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Analysis of postal questionnaires
As part of the publicity and advertisement of a public consultation event for the St Luke’s
Gardens project, a flyer/questionnaire was distributed to households and businesses in
the St Luke’s area by Islington Greenspace. The flyer contained a description of the
project aims and design proposals. A detachable questionnaire was attached with four
questions relating to the proposals. The questionnaire was distributed so that residents
who were unable to attend the consultation event could still provide feedback to the
Council. The deadline for return of completed questionnaires to Islington Greenspace was
Friday 20 March. 40 questionnaires have been received. Subsequent to the issue of the
original questionnaires, the Council were informed that residents of Coltash Court had
not been in receipt of the original questionnaires. Therefore, LBI Greenspace hand
delivered questionnaires to the 65 households within Coltash Court on Friday 01 May,
with a return date two weeks later. By Friday 15 May 9 questionnaires had been
returned to LBI Greenspace. The following provides a summary of the results:
Questions
Do you support the proposal for a new entrance into St Luke’s Gardens adjacent to
Ironmonger Row Baths?
Yes
Maybe
No
Total
40
5
4
49
81.6%
10.2%
8.2%
100%
Do you think that the proposals will improve access to the Gardens?
Yes
Maybe
No
Total
40
3
4
47
85.1%
6.4%
8.5%
100%
Do you think the proposals will help make the Gardens and adjacent streets feel safer?
Yes
Maybe
No
Total
27
14
7
48
56.3%
29.1%
14.6%
100%
Overall, do you support the proposed improvements to St Luke’s Gardens?
Yes
Maybe
No
Total
38
5
5
48
79.2%
10.4%
10.4%
100%
Any other comments – set out under themed headings:
Dogs
Ten specific comments were received regarding dogs:
1_Please provide signage indicating dog free zone or fine for fouling
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2_The area is currently used for the exercising of dogs, so I avoid the area completely. I
would welcome CCTV and proper measures to prosecute dog owners who don’t keep
their dogs on leads and don’t pick up their pooh!
3_Make it dog free - a safe place to sit without stepping in dog poo.
4_ I don’t believe there is any point to the proposals if the park continues to be used by
dog owners as a place to walk their pets. Some people and children don’t like to use it
when dogs are around.
5_ Yes dog walkers need to exercise dogs off the lead – will this still be possible?
6_ Could the park be set up with time slots for dog owners to use the Gardens?
7_Very good idea! Dog free would also be ideal as it is a small public space, also alcohol
free etc!
8_ The word Gardens is a misnomer, they should be re-titled Dog run. I do recall when
flowers grew then locals could sit and enjoy the area. No longer – dogs are given priority
and even when gates are locked, have dog owners acquired keys from somewhere? The
simple solution is ban dogs or close the area completely. How can children play on grass,
which is infected with dog droppings. I repeat – ban dogs.
9_ I never use the Gardens as its always full of dogs and it smells. I was a witness to a
dog attack last year so I am very wary of them.
10_So far the Gardens in the area show easy access, the gardens are mainly been used
for dogs to use when I was walking around. Hardly see any children playing in the
Gardens as dogs roam not on leads sometimes. I read in this park, and as a young woman
by son should be able to play here.
Access
Nine specific comments were received regarding access:
1_Please provide new entrance near to Finsbury Leisure Centre and also from St Luke’s
LSO.
2_I like the character of the steps on the existing entrance to Helmet Row. I hope this
can be preserved into the plans, leaving disabled access from Ironmonger Row.
3_I support the new entrance from Ironmonger Row, but would prefer just a tidy up to
the entrance from Helmet Row because it is in keeping with the history of St Luke’s
Gardens and it would be a shame to lose it.
4_ The proposed new entrance will allow motorbikes or cyclists to ride through the
entrance by St Luke’s LSO. This will be unsafe for park users including Children from
Toffee Park, dog walkers. Should be designed like kissing gates to prevent access by
motorbikes, mopeds, cycles who will use it as a cycle track and short cut or for anti-
social behaviour.
5_This proposal will be welcomed – easy access for wheelchair users, parents with
children and prams. When all the paving and roads have been done, this improvement
will enhance the area.
6_Entrance on corner of Ironmonger Row and Norman Street will be dangerous with
vehicles coming from Radnor Street.
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7_I would definitely not touch the entrance by the Church. But these look good and well
thought out. Good work!
8_I agree with the new entrance at Ironmonger Row.
9_I think it is a good idea to have new improved access to the Gardens, but must you
destroy all the historical aspects. The Victorian water fountain was already gone. Can’t
you please leave the steps alone even if they are no longer used for access?
Mopeds
Three specific comments were received regarding mopeds:
1_Young gangs of boys use Ironmonger Row and Norman Street to race scooters and
motorbikes from Spring to Fall. They will most likely drive into the Park if no blocks/bike
bars are staggered to prevent this. They also annually set motorbikes they have stolen
on fire by the park on Helmet Row/Norman Street. With easier access to the Gardens
they will probably burn them there. Staggered gates have been put up around Helmet
Row, Ironmonger Row, Norman Street and nearby football pitches partly because the
Council has recognised this problem already.
2_As long as mopeds can’t get in via these new ramped wide entrances. There is a
problem round here of kids joy riding on stolen mopeds.
3_If you do this the Gardens will be used as a raceway for kids on stolen mopeds. I used
to live next to Barnard Park which became a crime hotspot and unusable by local
residents for this reason.
Planting
Four specific comments were received regarding planting:
1_The proposed flower beds need careful planning to ensure minimal maintenance, but
avoiding deterioration. Also removing surrounding foliage could encourage littering
which should be monitored just in case.
2_ I do not agree with taking away any of the trees and shrubs. The Gardens are not
dangerous and we need these bushes for bird habitats. We don’t need it to become a
concrete children’s playground.
3_The only concern is the removal of the shrubs around the Gardens. This was done on
St Luke’s Estate and nothing ever replaced it leaving brown earth.
4_ The Central flower beds are bleak during the autumn/winter months
Safety/Security
Two specific comments were received regarding safety/security:
1_Where are the wardens? I’ve never seen any around!
2_They will make the area safer and look more attractive and modern, it will be a 100%
improvement.
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Other general comments
Seven general comments were received:
1_ Are the railings going to be replaced? From the photographs it looks like it. Also the
proposals show coloured planting – will this be happening?
2_Who is paying for these works? Wasn’t the Gardens re-designed a couple of years
ago?
3_ I hope that this time EC1 New Deal money goes to local skilled people with history in
the St Luke’s area and not the scarlet professional Peter Saville who confuses St Luke’s
Finsbury with Clerkenwell. There is no entrance on the corner of the Gardens and
Ironmonger Row.
4_By looking at the pictures it will be greatly improved.
5_The formal layout of St Luke’s Gardens was established in the eighteenth century in
relationship to the Hawksmoor Church. To clip off the corner and provide an entrance
from Ironmonger Row as proposed would seem a ‘messy’ solution. [as has resulted from
the work done to Radnor Street Gardens].
6_What about asking a landscape architect to do the entire park? What about a small
coffee shop with chairs and tables as in Russell Square? What about coloured lighting at
night like the church and special lighting at Christmas? Why not get rid of all the fences
to make it more open and part of the neighbourhood? What about a water fountain in
the middle? Why not get special flowers, trees, bulbs birds and other animals with
explanatory notes for visitors? Any why not organise outdoor music events for St Luke’s
in the Park?
7_ I have lived in this flat sine 11-1-69 and I have many improvements most for the
better.
Age group
Under 20
20-49
50-69
70 and over
0
16
13
12
Gender
Male
Female
12
19
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Analysis from Finsbury Leisure Centre
On Thursday 05th March a public consultation event was held at Finsbury Leisure Centre
from 3pm to 7pm. At the same time a Greenspace Project Officer and Ranger, and EC1
Officer were present in St Luke’s Gardens from 3 to 6pm.
Members of the general public were invited to the event through the
flyer/questionnaires posted to local households [see analysis results above], and posters
placed in key locations within the area. The A1 consultation boards used at the event
were also placed on the railings of St Luke’s Gardens from Monday 02 March to Friday
20 March. A total of 29 feedback forms were completed through the consultation
event. The following provides a summary of the results.
Questions
Do you support the proposal for a new entrance into St Luke’s Gardens adjacent to
Ironmonger Row Baths?
Yes
Maybe
No
Total
25
0
1
26
96%
0%
4%
100%
Do you think that the proposals will improve access to the Gardens?
Yes
Maybe
No
Total
24
2
1
27
89%
7.5%
3.5%
100%
Do you think the proposals will help make the Gardens and adjacent streets feel safer?
Yes
Maybe
No
Total
11
13
3
27
41%
48%
11%
100%
Overall, do you support the proposed improvements to St Luke’s Gardens?
Yes
Maybe
No
Total
19
4
2
25
76%
16%
8%
100%
Any other comments – set out under themed headings
Dogs
Six specific comments were received regarding dogs:
1_It is used by people with dogs, which can put people off. Please can they come to the
Park once they are responsible to clean up their dog mess.
2_Dog allowed
3_Dog warden for aggressive dogs, don’t want dogs unless there is a warden
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4_Too much dogs. They ruin the plants
5_Better control of dogs in the park. I’m a dog owner, but don’t approve of the way
some people let their dogs out of control.
6_Dog owners continue to walk their dogs and allow them to foul. How can the gardens
be a nice area when this continues?
Access
Four specific comments were received regarding access:
1_People with bikes and buggies can use the park more with the new flat entrances.
2_Entrances too wide
3_Improvements to accessibility is most welcome, along with the seasonal colour to the
boundary of the Gardens.
4_It will make a big difference improving the boundary walls as they look terrible at the
moment. Good link to the baths
Mopeds
Two specific comments were received regarding mopeds:
1_The access would need to a kissing gate to prevent mopeds in the summer.
2_Bollards to stop scooters
Planting
Four specific comments were received regarding planting:
1_A few more flowers are needed
2_More colour in the beds – too bare
3_Flower beds around the border
4_It would be good to see some improved planting beds under the trees
Safety/Security
Two specific comments were received regarding safety and security:
1_Better lighting
2_The new entrances will not make the Gardens feel safe. We need a park patrol and
wardens to come and visit the Park more often to talk to people, then we feel safer.
Other general comments
Six general comments were received:
1_People are out of jobs – why new improvements spending a lot of money?
2_I Like the gardens the way it is
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3_I would love to be involved in any planting/garden maintenance
4_Would prefer gates that are plain in design
5_Looks good!
6_More work please to the whole area to modernise and brighten up as much as possible:
re the streets, buildings and parks etc
Age group
Under 20
20-49
50-69
70 and over
1
12
10
0
Gender
Male
Female
9
12
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