Issue - meetings

[To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration. Report  of the Director for Planning, Regeneration and Development]

This report seeks Cabinet approval for the public consultation on Reg 18 public consultation on an Area Action Plan for Wood Green which is being delivered and consulted on in parallel with the Investment Framework (spatial plan and investment/economic plan for the town centre).

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration introduced the report which outlined to Members the four broad development options for Wood Green and the emergent preference for one of the options for how regeneration might take place in Wood Green .The report further sought approval to carry out a first stage public consultation on these 4 growth options through publication of the draft of the Wood Green Area Action Plan: Issues and Options Report (the ‘Wood Green AAP’).   There would then later follow a second consultation process on the preferred option.

The report also sought Members approval to the revised budget to complete the Wood Green Investment Framework in order to put in place the necessary staff and resources to manage the project effectively through to completion of the AAP and to commence the implementation stage. The Investment Framework would be reported separately to Cabinet in due course. 

Cllr Engert questioned the consideration being given to Cross Rail 2 in the plans when no decision by government had been made on this.  In response it was noted that the plans for Wood Green were much needed and were at an early stage so amendments could be made according to changes in London and regional plans. However, it was important to include a transport plan for Wood Green and give consideration to the impact of Cross Rail 2 even at this early stage.

Cllr Engert further asked a question about whether GP services had been included in the plans to regenerate Wood Green.  Councillor Strickland responded by setting out the importance being given to social infrastructure in Wood Green and the discussions already taking place with the community about schools, and health provision. The Council were alive to this issue and also speaking with the appropriate organisations.

Cllr Engert further asked questions about the community benefits of the AAP including a swimming pool for Wood Green.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration was happy to speak with Cllr Engert on the leisure provision but no commitments could be made about a swimming pool for the local area.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve for Regulation 18 consultation purposes the publication of the draft Wood Green Area Action Plan: Issues and Options report (attached at Appendix 1) for a period of seven weeks commencing on 1^st February 2016.

2.    To note the consultation programme set out at Appendix 2.

3.    To approve the revised expenditure budget and external funding plans to complete the Wood Green Investment Framework and AAP as set out in Section 6.

4.    To agree a maximum additional Council contribution of £694,000 to finance the current shortfall to the end of March 2017.

Reasons for decision

Haringey faces considerable challenges in planning for long term growth. Following the publication London Plan 2015, the Borough’s housing target has risen from 830 net new dwellings per year to 1,502. In parallel, the borough has a target to increase employment levels by 29% over the next 20 years.

The Wood Green area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 174