Issue - meetings

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

The Leader of the Council invited Mr Will Spokes to put forward his representations relating to Item 12, Haringey Local Plan.

Mr Spokes, was speaking on behalf of the Defend Crouch End group, and began by objecting to the inclusion of Site Allocation 51[site in between 72-96 Park Road and Lynton road in the Site Allocations development Plan] and asked for this site’s removal from the plan.  He referred to the lack of proper information provided to local residents and business, earlier this year in the consultation period, about the inclusion of this site in the DPD. Mr Spokes set out the circumstances in which the local residents and businesses had become aware of its inclusion in the DPD which he felt did not reflect the principles of good communication and he questioned if this was indicative of the consultation, as a whole, on all the local planning documents.

Mr Spokes contested the proposed height of the development at this site which would have a detrimental impact on the existing neighbourhood, with an immediate changed physical environment for households living in close quarters to the site .He also highlighted the closure of the existing discreet and unique businesses, currently taking up the site, to make way for the housing which was not in keeping with the boroughs employment commitments. He felt that due consideration had not been given to the impact of having additional housing in the area. This was in terms of parking, environment and schools. There was an obvious bias to housing development but he questioned how any mixed use employment space could be continued at this site.

The Leader provided some assurance to the deputation explaining that the Local Plan, at this stage, set out in theory what uses can be made of the site. Any eventual  changes to the site would be subject to planning permission where local concerns can also be put forward

In response to the Leader’s question on the local group’s level of opposition to housing on this site, the deputation advised that they had a pragmatic stance. However, any housing development would need to be completed in a manner which was sympathetic to the existing area and would need to keep the community and local stakeholders in the area satisfied.

The Cabinet Member for Planning further responded to the deputation by acknowledging the concerns received both in writing and in separate meetings with residents and businesses about this site.

In response to the concerns on height, and the loss of employment on the site, the Cabinet Member for Planning advised the deputation party that there was already an existing planning consent for the northern part of the site for a 5 storey building providing for 40 net residential units. Therefore the planning documents of the Council could not discount the existing planning permission, or the principles of development that it has established on this site. Given the significant need for housing and affordable employment space in the borough this site was considered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88