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• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

There is a brownfield site in Haringey Heartlands. We had a discussion in the Chamber about it. And I have to say that to describe the outline planning permission, which is the stage it is at, as crushingly mediocre would be very kind. And damning people for God knows how many years into what I think is really -- well mediocre, as I said, would be kind. The lead member for regeneration there accused me of an elitist vision. I referred to yourself and Nicky Gavron and what we are trying to do in London and he said it was...

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

Are you still intending to look for five? Or are you looking now for more than that, or is it no particular number?

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

You are looking for a small number of sites for projects, where you can have definite influence and where we all will see tangible achievements within a period of time?

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

No, that is why I deliberately said "a period of time". It depends obviously on the nature of what is being done there and various other things. How far are you advanced in your discussions in those areas with local authorities particularly, but other potential partners?

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

Obviously still at early stages. Is your interest generally welcomed or are people generally wary of it? What will be your view if there is even something verging on opposition to your interest?

• Question by: Sally Hamwee
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

Would it be right, though I do not much like the word myself, to say that one needs to have a holistic approach then?

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

I am getting slightly confused, are you saying that through your work you are going to be recommending less space per person or more space per person as a standard for the sort of work that you are doing? My understanding is that the standards are set for minimum requirements for a family of X size -- are there no space/person requirements or are you going to set some? Well you said the standards in Holland, so maybe I misinterpreted you, gave a third more space. What did you mean? A third more space than what? And for how many...

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

Okay, if this is the debate that we are going to be having, if actually one said that people needed less space internally, more space externally and more communal facilities in terms of shops or infrastructure or whatever, I mean that is social engineering of a sort, isn't it? I am just trying to test your thinking. You could say that in affordable housing or social housing - let's be controversial - people need less space and you can have smaller areas in which you live, well designed so you have got the quality you are talking about, and that...

• Question by: Sally Hamwee
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

We have heard from you this morning that views are important. But also that views change. In a world where one has to deal both with the overall plan and then with individual development control applications, how can we ensure that in getting from one to the other we are not ruining the city? I do not know how to reconcile statements that views are important and looking after views is important and also that views can be allowed to change. I do not know what the mechanisms are that should be applied.