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The Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association was formed in 1948 as a non-political amenity society. We are concerned with everything that contributes to the quality of life and the environment, including roads, buildings and open spaces in Muswell Hill, Fortis Green and Alexandra wards.
Picture: Grove Lodge Gardens - Muswell Hill
The Association represents local views on such matters as planning applications, traffic and transport problems. It provides a voice for local opinion on many matters of wider interest and is represented on several amenity and public bodies, including the Alexandra Palace Statutory Advisory Committee and the local Conservation Area Advisory Committees.
Our views on local matters are sought by the officers and councillors of the local borough, Haringey. We also maintain contacts with other appropriate organisations including the local Police.
Picture: Odeon shops - Muswell Hill
In the past we played a key role in representing local residents' views at the Public Inquiry on the future of Alexandra Palace and Park. This carried considerable weight and influenced the Inspector and was one of the few occasions when a local residents' association's proposals have been carried through into legislation. As a result, the Statutory Advisory Committee, our main forum for influencing future plans for the Palace and Park, was established.
One of our committee members, the late David Jones, was closely involved in the 1970's in fighting Haringey Council's proposal to cut down nearly 4000 street trees in the western half of the borough. He and the committee persuaded the council to change its policy and as a result the trees were saved.
Picture:Muswell Hill Broadway
Also in the late 1970's our Association fought against the proposed Archway Road motorway scheme, which was eventually defeated. In 1976 we were successful in achieving the closing of Grand Avenue at the Muswell Hill Road end, to stop traffic cutting through.
We were involved in a massive campaign to retain the famous art deco Muswell Hill Odeon when its owners threatened to demolish it in 1981. The cinema was saved and given Grade II status.
We hold regular open meetings for members and non-members with speakers on local issues and history.
Picture: Pocket Park opposite John Baird pub
Our Newsletter, which is informative and highly regarded, is distributed six times a year to our 600 members. We aim to be as proactive as possible, canvassing and putting forward members' views to the relevant authorities, such as design of shop fronts, parking, graffiti, green sites, transport and litter.
In 1976 we set up and ran the first Muswell Hill Festival. We have played a major part in organising this event ever since and have assured its future by working together with the Hornsey Trust, now known as The London Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy.
The Association also organises other events, which celebrate the creative talents and natural beauty of this part of North London, such as photographic, painting and front garden competitions. We have recently completed an Historic Shopfronts Survey, covering the whole of Muswell Hill Broadway and Fortis Green Road. The aim was to record the architectural features and to form a comparison record for future planning. Some of the photographs are on the site, and the full album can be viewed on request.
If you are not already a member and are concerned to protect and improve our local environment, do join us by filling in the form on the membership page or send us an email comment. *Welcome to all our foreign visitors. If you would like to send a comment, ask a question about our activities or just say hello, please email us with this automatic email link. What do you like about our website and pictures? If you are from a similar association we would like to know.* Help us to increase our voice and ensure that Muswell Hill retains its unique and attractive environment.
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