Londoner’s Diary: Palin and Bragg oppose Heath tower plan

HAMPSTEAD HEATH may look green and peaceful, but it’s one of the most contested areas of London.

Sir Michael Palin and Melvyn Bragg are just two of thousands who are up in arms about a planned housing development near the heath.

Monty Python star Sir Michael, far right, and his wife Helen highlighted the potential for “detrimental pollution” as well as the threat to the “low-rise” character of the area.

Broadcaster Baron Bragg, right, lodged his complaint, saying “it would be absolutely out of character with the surrounding area and would impact on the openness of the heath for the lido and the surrounding fields.”

Cartoonist Kipper Williams, another local, said he objected “in the strongest possible terms”, adding “the proposed towers are much too tall and would literally cast a shadow over the valuable community asset that is the City Farm.”

Camden council received a deluge of objections — the Camden New Journal put the figure at more than 1,500 — with only a few responses in support. One backing the project said “worries about the ‘skyline’ are completely absurd and the worst type of nimbyism”.

J K Rowling… and where to find her

J K ROWLING’s name has been prominently restored in the latest trailer for her upcoming Fantastic Beasts film. A previous teaser seemed to have deleted the writer’s name from the third instalment of the Harry Potter prequel franchise. Now a “From J K Rowling” title card is clearly shown. The author has become controversial for her views on trans rights in recent years. Last month, a New York Times advertising campaign was criticised for including the slogan “Imagining Harry Potter without its creator”, while a recent film reunion documentary failed to interview her.

Kermode is sure of his specs appeal

FILM critic Mark Kermode, left, is not an envious man. When The Londoner bumped into him at Bonham’s last night for an auction of Michael Caine memorabilia, we asked him whether he was jealous of Caine’s famous specs. “Excuse me,” he replied, “I have the most magnificent glasses.” So would they fetch a fortune too? There was a long pause. “No”. But he was doing better than one guest, who confided to us: “I shouldn’t say this and I probably should have researched him, but who is Michael Caine?” Not a lot of people don’t know that.

Michel can’t wait to make Hay again

CAROLINE MICHEL is looking forward to the return of the Hay literary festival, but not for the reason you might think. Michel, the festival’s chair, told us at a recent book launch she can’t wait for “the after-parties… parties are what we do at Hay”. When asked if they get rowdy, Michel replied instantly “very” and continued: “People just let their hair down.”

Gala night for youth theatre alumni

FAMOUS alumni came back to the National Youth Theatre for a fundraising gala. Regé-Jean Page draped an arm over patron the Earl of Wessex, alongside chair Dawn Airey. Hugh Bonneville and Rosamund Pike were there, as was DJ Jazzie B and our columnist Rob Rinder, who has said he gave up acting because classmate Benedict Cumberbatch was much better. Shame. Heather Small of M People provided entertainment.

SW1A

TORY MP Dan Poulter says we shouldn’t get complacent about coronavirus. “It would be a very foolish or very brave view to take that this pandemic is over,” Poulter, who is chair of the APPG for Global Health, told a ConHome event last night, citing the risk of further variants. Words his Tory colleagues won’t be happy to hear.

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WESTMINSTER is sombre right now — mostly. Michael Fabricant MP has become involved in a slanging match with a social media user who said as he didn’t have GB News it would “save me having to listen to your Tory lies and look at your face”. Fabricant shot back: “As opposed to looking at YOUR face.” Dignified.