Issue - meetings

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources (S151 Officer). To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing & Planning (Deputy Leader)

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved the appointment of the recommended contractor (A) identified in the exempt part of the report to undertake the new build works to provide a total of sixty-six council homes on the land at the corner of Seven Sisters and St Ann’s Road, N15 6NP for a total contract sum of £24,610,387 and approves the on costs and client contingency sum set out in the exempt part of the report. This is in accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 2.01 c).

2.    Approved the issuance of a letter of intent to allow Haringey Council to incur expenditure for either 10% of the contract value or £100,000, whichever is the higher figure.

3.    Approved the appropriation of land at the corner of Seven Sisters and St Ann’s Road shown edged red on the plan titled ‘Development Plan’ attached at Appendix One, from housing purposes to planning purposes pursuant to section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972.

4.    Approved the use of the Council’s powers under Section 203 of the Housing and      Planning Act 2016 to override easements and other rights of neighbouring properties           infringed upon by the Sir Frederick Messer Estate, N15 6NP development, under planning permission Ref: HGY/2024/3315.

5.    Delegated to the Director of Capital Projects and Property, after consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning (Deputy Leader), authority to make payments of compensation for any valid claims of third-party rights affected by the development as a result of recommendation

6.    Approved the appropriation of land at corner of Seven Sisters and St Ann’s Road, N15 shown edged red in the plan titled ‘Development Plan’ attached at Appendix One, from planning purposes back to housing purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972, after practical completion of the development scheduled for November 2027.

7.    Approved the total scheme costs including: on costs, works, interest, contingency and other costs to the value as set out in detail in the exempt part of the report.

8.    Considered the engagement and consultation carried out on this proposed scheme set out in section seven of this report.

Reasons for decisions

The site known as Sir Frederick Messer Estate, was approved by Cabinet on 21^st January 2020 to be included in the Council housing delivery programme. This scheme was granted planning consent on 28 August 2025 and is ready to progress to construction. This report therefore marks the third, and final, Cabinet decision to develop on this site.

Following a formal tender process, a contractor had been identified to undertake these works.

There are no reasons for the Council to believe that any third-party rights would be infringed by the development. The scheme has received planning permission, and no concerns about the loss of rights were raised during extensive local engagement and consultation with residents.   Appropriation of the development site for planning purposes is recommended to clear the path for  ...  view the full decision text for item 297

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, and Deputy Leader of the Council introduced the report.

The construction contract proposed allowed the Council to proceed with the development of sixty-six new council homes on the land at the junction of Seven Sisters and St Ann’s Road, adjacent to the Sir Frederick Messer Estate. This included seven fully wheelchair-accessible homes, designed to meet the specific needs of households with disabilities.

It was explained that the site was complex, and that reaching this stage involved a challenging process. The Council had considered all views expressed by the local community and made significant design changes to reflect the concerns of nearby residents. The approved scheme supported the development of new community relations within the Sir Frederick Messer Estate through the provision of open landscaped areas, new tree planting, play areas, improved site security, and integration with the existing estate.

It was noted that at the centre of two buildings was a communal courtyard garden, along with private gardens and balconies. The communal garden and play spaces were designed for use by all residents, both existing and new. The scheme reflected a considered design approach that integrated with the existing estate. The buildings were designed according to Passivhaus principles to achieve high levels of energy efficiency. Features included triple-glazed windows, roof-mounted photovoltaic panels, individual air source heat pumps, and high levels of insulation. The combination of the site’s context and the application of Passivhaus principles resulted in a scheme that addressed both design quality and sustainability. The sixty-six council homes aimed to achieve Passivhaus certification, contributing to reduced energy use and costs, and helping to protect residents from future energy price increases and the risk of energy poverty.

In response to comments and questions from Councillors Hakata, the following information was shared:

• Reassurance was provided by the Cabinet Member that the development would retain green space and that trees would be retained in the area. It was additionally noted that the site was currently not attractive, and that the proposed site would deliver a better environment. It was stressed by officers that the aim of the Council was to improve the public realm as part of any development, and the Council was assured that the proposals would deliver on this aim.
  
  
• It was explained by officers that the contract for development of the site was a fixed price contract, and that the contractor would have accepted a significant proportion of the risk in the delivery of the site.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved the appointment of the recommended contractor (A) identified in the exempt part of the report to undertake the new build works to provide a total of sixty-six council homes on the land at the corner of Seven Sisters and St Ann’s Road, N15 6NP for a total contract sum of £24,610,387 and approves the on costs and client contingency sum set out in the exempt part of the report. This is in accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 2.01 c).

2.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 297