Row over 'Fort Knox' house

nlnews@archant.co.uk
04 February 2010

A NEW house decked out "like Fort Knox" has sparked fears that its CCTV cameras and high railings are putting their homes at a GREATER risk of break-ins.

Residents compared the house, part of an expensive row of new three-storey homes in Cranley Gardens, Muswell Hill, to the famous highly-secure US army base.

One woman neighbour in her 50s, who did not want to be named, said: "I think CCTV breeds crime. Individuals can install what they want on their own property but this looks out on to our street and by and large, I feel that this is intrusive and part of a culture of suspicion.

"It looks like a prison and on top of that I keep thinking that a giant cuckoo will pop out of it. It's just not pleasing on the eye."

According to residents, there have been three 360-degree cameras installed on the side of one of the homes in Treeside Place, at the top of Cranley Gardens, in the last month, overlooking both the street and Parkland Walk behind.

Muswell Hill ward councillor Jonathan Bloch said: "This is another action by the developers which runs counter to the whole Muswell Hill community spirit.

"It is outrageous that they should have CCTV cameras pointing out to the street when the crime rate in Muswell Hill is so low. I hope council officials will deal with this in a speedy fashion."

Neighbours claimed security would have been better served by keeping a large hedge, which screened the new homes from the road but was cut down when work started.

Brick pillars and iron railings measuring up to 2.15metres have been erected in its place.

Neighbour Jeremy Klein, 52, a management consultant, said: "It's unusual to have cameras overlooking the public street and we don't like the idea they can sit in their homes and look out at people. It's out of keeping with this area. You can walk up to most people's doors on this road, but here you have high railings and CCTV cameras."

The four-bedroom semi-detached homes are on sale for about £1.6million each.

Dr Aristophanes Christodoulou, chairman of property development firm AAC Enterprises, and owner of the house in Treeside Place, insisted the cameras only look out on to his grounds. He said: "No-one who is not trespassing into my grounds or my house will have anything to be worried about. They are not there for spying but for protection. I should stress that it is not illegal to have CCTV on your property."