St Marys and St James community plan

Canonbury Road Streetscape Improvements

Approximate Cost: £200,000

This project would provide streetscape improvements to Canonbury Road. In particular this would deliver footway renewal, the de-cluttering of street furniture to increase accessibility and ensure ease of movement for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as increased tree planting. 

Liverpool Road Pedestrianisation

Approximate Cost: £750,000

This project would turn Liverpool Road between Tolpuddle Street and Upper Street into a pedestrian-only road. The project would require carefully considered design and considerable stakeholder consultation.

Ward wide greening improvements 

Approximate cost: £200,000 

This project would introduce a range of greening initiatives across the ward, including new trees, planters, SUDS, and pocket parks.

Dibden Street Triangle

Approximate cost: £50,000 

This project would improve the existing space at Dibden Street triangle, with the installation of new benches and play equipment. 

Tibby Place 

Approximate cost: £40,000 

This project would improve the existing park with the installation of new play equipment. 

Pleasant Place

Approximate cost: £30,000 

This project would enhance the green space with new planting and seating. 

Basire Street Playground 

Approximate Cost: £50,000 

This project would provide additional pplay equipment and seating to improve the playground offer for all children.

Popham Community Centre 

Approximate Cost: £50,000 

This project would invest in the existing community centre, painting the existing fence, creating a new office area for workers, and improving the space for all users.

Cummings Estate Improvements

Approximate Cost: £100,000 

This project would improve the large green spaces around Cummings Estate blocks with the installation of new play equipment, planting, and seating.

Accessible Public Toilet in Islington Green

• Local CIL (£100,000)

This project will deliver a more accessible public toilet at a central location within St Mary’s & St James’ ward, within Islington Green. The existing public toilet in Islington Green is a standard accessible toilet. Whilst this is accessible for some disabled people, it does not meet the requirements of all people with a disability. In particular, people in larger adapted wheelchairs and those who require assistance to go to the toilet. The project will replace the existing unit with a Changing Places toilet, which is a larger facility with equipment including a changing bench and a hoist, designed to support disabled people who need assistance. The absence of accessible toilets and changing facilities means that some disabled people are limited in terms of activities available to them, or even prevented from going out altogether. This scheme would offer an improved quality of life for users, allowing disabled people to stay out for longer and participate in more activities.

Little Angel Theatre

• Local CIL (£5,000)

This project makes a contribution towards the refurbishment of the Little Angel Theatre providing a range of engaging and inclusive activities to residents of all ages. Beyond shows, the Theatre offers DIY sessions, arts and crafts afternoons and activities for senior residents. The refurbishment will include energy efficiency upgrades to the building, including installing new double-glazed windows, purchase of ceramic panel heaters, as well as repainting to the the entrance area.

King's Head Theatre Contribution

• S106 (£25,000)

This scheme will provide a financial contribution to the King’s Head Theatre, who are seeking donations to reach their £2 million budget, to move the theatre to a new purpose-built space in Islington Square. The project is currently at planning stage and is due for delivery in spring 2023.

St Mary’s & St James’ Contribution to Chapel Market Improvements

• S106 (£25,000)

The project will deliver new affordable commercial facilities on the site of a car park at Warren Court. It will also deliver improvements to public realm to make the street more vibrant, attractive, and safer place to shop, linger and enjoy. A business development programme will be implemented to bring on the next generation of market traders, as well as a community partnership programme, which will sustain the market for all.

St Mary’s & St James’ Contribution to Islington Boxing Club

• Local CIL (£5,000)

The project contributes to the redevelopment of the Islington Boxing Club, which at present is in a tired state. The funding will support the planning application process including all the necessary surveys, investigations and designs. The boxing club is a nationally leading centre for women's boxing and acts as a successful youth centre for young people from across the Borough. When full planning permission has been granted the Club will begin fund-raising throughout 2022 and the first half of 2023, with building works to begin in the second half of 2023.

Halton Mansions Gardens Improvements

• S106 (£80,000)

This project will deliver improvements to the outdoor green spaces at Halton Mansions Estate. Improvements will be focused on the three large garden areas, as well as some of the smaller green spaces around the estate. The scheme aims to make the spaces more appealing, to encourage residents to use the area, and will complement the existing community planting activities. Improvements will include biodiverse planting, informal play trail equipment, seating areas and surface improvements.

St Mary’s & St James’ Secure Estate Cycle Parking

• S106 (£40,000)

This project will provide secure cycle storage to various housing estates in St Mary's & St James’. It will help residents to store cycles safely, rather than taking up space inside properties or being left in communal areas of buildings, where they can undermine fire safety requirements. The availability of secure cycle storage will also encourage more cycle use, with personal, environmental, health and economic benefits.

St Mary's & St James’ Estate Recycling Facility Improvements

• Local CIL (£25,000)

This project will improve the recycling and refuse facilities on several housing estates within the St Mary’s & St James’ ward. It aims to combat and prevent fly tipping, by ensuring there are enough bins on estates, and aims to improve the public realm, through the installation of bin enclosures. The scheme will facilitate the delivery of: 2 Metrostore units at Barratt House; 2 Metrostore units at Wakelin House; as well as improvements to existing refuse units and signage at Halton Mansions.

St Mary’s & St James’ Small Scale Estate Improvements Fund

• Local CIL (£150,000)

A new improvements fund has been set up to address small scale estate improvements. The improvements will be approved by Cllrs based on residents’ recommendations and officers’ insight from site visits at the ward’s estates. 

Canonbury Road/ Halton Road Crossing

• Local CIL (£63,000)

This project would add a zebra crossing to the Canonbury Road and Halton Road junction, to improve pedestrian safety in this area. The zebra crossing would be delivered with traffic calming measures to reduce the speed of vehicles on their approach.

Upper Street Little Library 

• Neighbourhood CIL (£5,000) 

This project supported the conversion of an existing phone box into a ‘Little Library’ with books for the community to borrow on Upper Street. 

Contribution to Central Library Refurbishment 

This scheme delivered the refurbishment of Central Library as part of a greater redesign by refreshing and repainting the ground floor. The project was completed in 2019.

Sebbon Street Community Centre

• S106 (£38,000)

This project has provided improvements to the area outside Sebbon Street Community Centre, including cleaning up and landscaping the area with support from Groundwork London. The improvement works include: the demolition and removal of brickwork; repair and painting of fencing; installation of two new gates; repaving; repositioning of bins and construction; and, planting with appropriate shrubs and trees.

St Mary's Church Portico Refurbishment

• S106 (£252,452)

This scheme involved repairs and improvements to the Neighbourhood Centre and the church portico. The project was completed in 2019.

South Library - Feasibility Study

• S106 (£20,000)

This scheme provided insight into the possible improvemtns to take place at th South Library. Currently the Library requires significant accessibility improvements and refurbishment works to be able to serve the residents of St Mary and St James’ and the neighbouring wards.

St James Church Masterplan

• S106 (£1,747)
• Local CIL (£75,753)

A masterplan has been developed to implement various public realm improvements on the areas outside St. James Church on Prebend Street. 

St Mary's Church Gardens

• S106 (£500,000)

This scheme provided improvements to the St Mary's Church Gardens (including tree management), as identified within the 'Heart of Islington' project proposal led by St Mary's Church. The gardens were overgrown and some of the trees were in need of pruning. Parts of the garden were landscaped and re-designed to allow better use of the space.

Canonbury Gardens Landscape Improvements

• S106 (£84,947)

This scheme revitalised Canonbury Gardens through a range of landscape improvements that made the site more attractive to residents from all parts of the local community and visitors to the Canonbury area. Works included: the clearance of large shrubs adjacent to the Stephen's Church driveway to provide clear views into the garden; new planting; resurfacing of main paths; improvements to all benches; the provision of a watering standpipe for the local gardening group to use; re-turfing of the lawn areas; and, repainting of the railings.

St Mary's & St James’ Ward Tree Planting

• Local CIL (£20,000)
• S106 (£20,000)

The scheme delivered street tree planting throughout the ward, in line with the Council’s tree strategy.

Popham Road Estate Environmental Improvements

• S106 (£80,000)

This scheme would provide environmental improvements to Popham Road Estate, which has been identified as needing investment to improve amenity and to address anti-social behaviour within the open spaces surrounding the estate. Improvements may include: play areas; community gardens; seating; landscaping; leisure facilities; and/or re-allocation of space from other redundant uses, such as excess parking. So far, improvements include: the installation of new lights, to improve safety on the estate; installation of bin enclosures, to improve residential amenity; and the installation of new maps and wayfinding signs.

St Mary’s & St James’ Secure Estate Cycle Parking

• S106 (£40,000)

Secure cycle storage has been provided at Haslam Close, Spriggs House, and Barratt House with Housing Transport Team working on more adding facilities across the ward.

Tyndale Mansions Estate

• S106 (£126,000)

This scheme delivered playground and greenspace improvements. It brought a new lease of life to a previously two-tiered space by utilising a play trail over the changing levels and making the space appealing to various age groups. The project was completed in 2019.

Astey's Row MUGA and Play Facilities

• S106 (£412,399)

The multi-use games area and play area at Astey’s Row were previously in very poor condition. This scheme has enhanced natural play opportunities through the installation of bespoke climbable boulders, playable mounds, a tree-top trail, and a new sand and water play area. It has also installed new safety surfacing, upgraded the ball court with new basketball hoops, and created a ‘stag beetle hotel’ to help boost biodiversity. The project was completed in 2019.  In November 2020, the project won an award in the ‘Children's Play’ category at the Street Design Awards.

Milner Square MUGA and Play Facilities

• S106 (£386,215)

The scheme delivered improvements to the Milner Square multi-use games area and play area. Improvements included delivery of new timber play equipment, new surfacing and a panna football court. A woodland garden was also created with a new lawn and seating. The square became safer and more ‘playable’ for children of various ages catered by different equipment and play areas. The project was completed in July 2018.

Installation of Planters at New North Road

• Local CIL (£31,000)

This project funded the installation of box planters at 4 junctions on New North Road, at the intersections of Arlington Avenue, Linton Street, Rydon Street and St Paul Street. The purpose of the planters is to create an obstruction to make it harder for mopeds to ride through cycle lanes. The planters will also provided a sound barrier for residents, reducing the traffic noise from New North Road.

812 Bus Service

• Local CIL (£18,429)
• S106 (£26,943)

The 812 bus service was Islington’s Council run bus service in the Borough, operating on a 30-minute timetable, 7-hours a day between 9.30AM and 4.30PM. The service operated across the central and southern parts of the borough. Wards served included Canonbury, St Peters & Canalside, St Mary’s & St James’, Barnsbury, Clerkenwell and Bunhill.

AccessAble Street Audit - Angel Business Improvement District

• S106 (£6,000)

The scheme provided an audit of the streets and public realm in the Angel Business Improvement District (BID) area. The survey was linked to the AccessAble project which will create, publish and promote detailed access guides for the Angel area.

Liverpool Road - Zebra Crossing

• S106 (£21,252)

This scheme provided improvements to the existing zebra crossing on Liverpool Road, by raising it and constructing a build out along with provision of drainage and lighting improvements. The crossing is used by pupils of Thornhill School. The scheme was implemented following a traffic survey which showed above-average speeds of cars passing through the pedestrian crossing on Liverpool Road, south of Barnsbury Street. The project was completed in 2019.

Liverpool Road Tree Planting

• S106 (£15,000)

The scheme involved the planting of trees on Liverpool Road, in line with the Council’s tree planting strategy. The project was completed in 2020.

CCTV Cameras on Upper Street

• S106 (£83,244)

This project funded the installation of a CCTV Camera on Upper Street near St Mary’s Church, providing full coverage along Upper Street, increasing safety for residents and visitors.

St Mary's & St James’ Bike Marking Programme

• Local CIL (£5,000)

This project will fund the purchase of 500 bike etching kits to help tackle theft of pedal cycles in Islington, following a significant increase in this crime type in 2020. The kits will be used at bike safety events which will be held by Islington Council’s Community Safety team in theft hotspots. Dr Bike will also be present at these events to offer a free bike health check to those who need it. Bike marking makes it easier to identify and return stolen bikes, and is part of the ‘Tackling Bike Theft in Islington Action Plan’.

Creative Schools Project

• S106 (£20,000)

This project engaged with four primary schools in St Mary’s ward to help them to deliver Arts Award Discover. The award is an introductory arts project, designed for ages 5 and above, which aims to increase participation in arts activities.