Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning (Deputy Leader)  considered the attached report which sought approval for the acquisition of 21 newly constructed Council homes which formed part of the redevelopment of the Former Petrol Filling Station, 76 Mayes Road, Wood Green N22 6SY. The redevelopment of the site was completed by Weston Homes (the Developer) creating 83 homes and 6 commercial units.

The Cabinet Member noted that in July 2025 the Council had acquired the 29 designated affordable homes at the development.

Re-engagement with the Developer only recently occurred (February 2026) relating to the Council acquiring an additional 21 homes which are designated as market homes for private sale.

The Council’s intention was to let the 21 homes at Social Rents to Haringey households. Prior to legal completion the Local Planning Authority would be consulted on the requirement for a deed of variation of the S106 to allow these homes to be let a Social Rents.

The development was now complete and the homes (subject to survey by the Council’s technical teams and external advisor) are ready for occupation.

The homes will be purchased on individual long leaseholds (period to be agreed but to be no less than 250 years). 

The Council was proposing to acquire the following homes:

·       14 x 1B/2P

·       7 x 2B/4P 

In response to questions, it was noted that the properties had been appropriately maintained.

Following consideration of the exempt information and exempt recommendations, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning( Deputy Leader),

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the acquisition of the long leasehold interest in 21 Council homes at the Former Petrol Filling Station, 76 Mayes Road, Wood Green N22 6SY for housing purposes, for the purchase price  as set out in para 3.1.1 in the Part B (Exempt) report and based on the draft Heads of Terms contained at appendix 2 in the Part B (Exempt) report.

2.    To approve the total scheme cost for the acquisition as stated at para 3.1.2 in the Exempt Part B (Exempt) report.

3.    To approve the use of grant funding from the GLA’s Council Housing Acquisition Programme 2021 to 2026 allocation (CHAP) to part-fund this acquisition. The total amount of GLA CHAP grant funding is stated at para 3.1.3 in the Part B (Exempt) report.

4.    To approve the use of Right to Buy (RtB) receipts or funding from the Council’s General Fund (which is available from an approved allocation to part-fund housing acquisitions delivered through the GLA’s CHAP programme) to part-fund this acquisition. The total amount of RtB receipts/General Fund funding is stated at para 3.1.4 in the Part B (Exempt) report.

5.    To grant delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources (following consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance (Monitoring Officer)) to finalise all legal documentation and complete the transaction.

Reasons for decision.

The acquisition of these properties will result in 21 additional new Council homes thereby helping the Council make good on its pledge to build 3,000 Council homes by 2031. The Council’s “A New Housing Strategy for Haringey 2024-29 states at paragraph 1.1 under Strategic Objective 1:

Haringey’s ten-year housing target is 15,920 new homes as set out in the London Plan. We will deliver at least 3,000 of those homes ourselves as Council homes”

13,000 households are currently on the Council’s housing register and these homes will provide tenure secure, well-constructed affordable housing to Haringey households in housing need.

The acquisition aligns with the Council’s established acquisitions programme, increases the supply of modern sustainable homes, reduces reliance on temporary accommodation and delivers General Fund cost savings.

The proposed Council homes are well located to enjoy the amenities of the High Street in Wood Green.

The homes are completed to a private market specification which will be to a higher standard than the Council’s specification for affordable homes.

Alternative options considered.

Not to acquire the homes. This option was rejected because it would be a missed opportunity for the Council to:

Support the Council’s commitment to deliver 3,000 Council homes by 2031

If the Council doesn’t acquire new homes, it is likely to face a significant shortfall in meeting the Borough’s growing housing needs and will be unable to deliver a key element of its medium-term financial strategy (MTFS).