The Battle for Tolmers Square

By Nick Wates
 
For seventeen years, Tolmers Square in north London was the focus of a conflict involving tenant’s groups, community associations, students, squatters, intellectuals, political parties at both national and local level, and property developers. The dramatic story of that conflict is told by Nick Wates, who describes how Tolmers Square became a national symbol of the fight against property speculation and the need for community involvement in planning.

The book focuses on one case-study, but the same processes operate in all cities. By tracing the Tolmers case in detail, the book shows clearly the destructive forces which often operate in city redevelopment, and the effectiveness of various forms of campaigning and community action.
“…a rare report from the frontier of urban change”
Simon Jenkins, Times Literary Supplement, 12 November 1976

“…a thorough, very readable, well-documented case study… about planning which actually looks interesting as well.”
Richard Adam, Planning, 17 December 1976

“The language of thrillers applies to it: it was, indeed, hard to put down.”
Richard North, The Listener, 25 November 1976

“The book is alive with the furious emotion that Tolmers Square did – and still does – inspire in everyone involved… a fascinating tale.”
Liz Forgan, Times Educational Supplement, 15 October 1976

“…a period classic”.
Reyner Banham, New Society, June 198

Footnote: As a result of the campaigns in which the book played a part, the Georgian streets surrounding Tolmers Square – home to a thriving Asian community – were spared from the bulldozer, less office space than at first proposed was constructed and the area of new development became one of the first schemes in recent years to integrate housing, workspace, shopping and leisure facilities. Sadly the original Square itself was demolished.