An opportunity to question the Cabinet Member
for Strategic Regeneration, Cllr Charles Adje, on developments within his portfolio.
Minutes:
Cllr Charles Adje,
Cabinet Member for Strategic Regeneration responded to questions on
the following issues:
With regards
to the Tottenham landowners forum, Cllr Adje had chaired it once and it was used as a way
of engaging with the landowners in Tottenham with regards to the
Borough Plan that was being consulted on. In view of the concerns
about the forums expressed by Members, officers had been asked to
review both the Tottenham and Wood Green forums.
On Wood Green
High Road, Cllr Adje confirmed that the
previous proposal to demolish the Sky City and Page High estates
would now not be proceeding. The new Wood Green AAP would be put
out for consultation soon. The Council would aim to help ensure
that disused shop units are not left vacant. Cllr Adje had recently met with Collage Arts which was
now using the old Post Office building in the Mall which was a good
use of a vacated unit. The Council was also working with the Future
Wood Green Business Improvement District on initiatives to improve
the High Road. Cllr Diakides welcomed
the commitment not to demolish the Sky City and Page High
estates.
On concerns
that loading bays would be used by lorries on the redeveloped High
Road rather than rear access for loading and unloading, Cllr
Adje said that this was news to him but
that he would look into it. (ACTION – Cllr
Adje)
With regards
to the Love Lane estate, Cllr Adje said
he was concerned about the issues that had been raised earlier in
the meeting through the deputation. Issues like leaks and damp
should have been dealt with. CCTV had recently been installed on
the estate to improve security.
On the High
Road West project more generally, this project is separate from the
HDV, a legal contract had already been signed with Lendlease and a significant sum of money had
already been spent. The Council therefore cannot withdraw from this
but is having conversations about restructuring the development,
including by increasing the number of social housing units. There
were other complexities relating to the project. A ballot of Love
Lane estate residents was now needed to demonstrate support for the
proposals, as required by the Mayor of London, and this will take
place next year. In addition, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club are
also a stakeholder in the process as they own a section of land
known as the Goods Yard where they intend to develop a public
square as part of the High Road West site. Conversations were
ongoing with the owners of the properties on the Peacock industrial
estate. Asked what would happen if the ballot of residents opposes
the redevelopment, Cllr Adje said that
this was something that was being looked at with legal advice being
taken and conversations ongoing with the Mayor of London’s
office. Asked if the panel can see the legal agreement, Cllr
Adje said that this would be a matter
for the Borough solicitor.
On the future
of Northumberland Park a letter had gone out to residents from Cllr
Brabazon to explain the Council’s
aspirations for engaging with them about future plans. Cllr
Adje clarified that while he is
responsible for strategic regeneration, Cllr Brabazon is responsible for neighbourhood renewal
consultation.
On the
strategic approach to town centres in Tottenham, Peter
O’Brien, Assistant Director for Area Regeneration, said that
the role of the different town centres had been considered as part
of the last AAP. Bruce Grove and Seven Sisters are the two historic
district centres, viewed as having different roles to other parts
of Tottenham. For example Seven Sisters has a lot of smaller
businesses such as independent shops and ethnic restaurants.
Proposals for north Tottenham meanwhile have more of a focus as an
entertainment and leisure destination, complemented by the football
stadium. The intention for the redevelopment of Tottenham Hale is
not to increase the overall amount of retail but rather to move
over from the current retail park model towards a more street-based
pattern over time.