Attendees (and the organisations they are members of): Paul Burnham – Haringey Defend Council Housing Jeremy Cassidy and Helen Haigh – Fountain Area Residents Association Hannah Kwok – local resident Nathan – West Green Rd area resident Caitlin Strongman – Save The Warehouses Campaign Quentin Given – Haringey Friends of the Earth Dave Morris – Our Tottenham Coordination Group, Friends of Lordship Rec, Haringey Community Centres Network Michele de Broglio – Gardens Residents Association Martin Ball – Tottenham resident, involved in Our Tottenham Coordination Group Apologies: Ata – Save The Warehouses Campaign Anne Gray – Haringey over 50s Dayal Strub – Tower Gardens Residents Group, Friends of Tower Gardens Park Amit – Gardens Residents Association
Dave summed up the notes from the first meeting organised by and for Tottenham activists on 17th November. It had been well-attended and very focused. Quentin had explained the purpose, content and process of the Plan and current consultation. Attendees at that meeting had raised various concerns, including lack of a meeting about Tottenham as a whole; lack of infrastructure plan; excessive housing targets but low % of the actually affordable homes most desperately needed, and low % of family-sized homes; and possible demolitions at Northumberland Park Estate, Tottenham Green/Marcus Garvey library, Willoughby Lane area, Love Lane estate, Peacock Estate and Tiverton Primary School; failure to incorporate new Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation, and the need to clearly raise the levels of protection for green spaces including Pinkham Way and the Gardens Community Garden. In fact as the Tottenham population expands there’s a need for additional green spaces and other vital ‘social infrastructure’. Also the Council want to sell off some public buildings (there’s a secret ie unpublished ‘Disposals List’) – but some could and should be run by and for the community. It was noted that there were some good new policies regarding trees, and also climate-related adaptation and mitigation
The meeting proceeded with these main discussion points:
Paul criticised the language used in the Plan as inaccessible to many people, and said that the detail/content does not match the supposed vision of the Plan and the official Housing Needs Assessment documents. If there are not stronger policies and real checks on the power of private developers, the reality will be gentrification. He proposed a well-publicised public meeting to explain the Plan and mobilise local people to stand up for Tottenham’s real needs.
Caitlin said the Plan reflected positive move from previous ones regarding recognition of the value of the creative sector living in warehouses – new policy C6 in Chapter 20 – protecting such spaces. Two main issues remain – ensuring right of return and affordability when landlords refurbish buildings, and getting the use classes right. Her group is in touch with similar residents in Fountayne Road industrial estate, and they have a meeting 7 December.
Dave stressed the need for people to submit specific wording changes to the Plan’s proposed text, including in the key ‘Site Allocations’ documents, in addition to general objections and points.
Quentin and Martin had attended and reported back from an online meeting about Bruce Grove/Seven Sisters/South Tottenham.
Quentin pointed out that, according to the Commonplace website, some area plans had only been viewed by a handful of people – a shocking lack of engagement. More local people and local groups should be reading the plans, attending meetings and submitting their views.
Ashley said the whole process had passed her by – why did the Haringey people just sent out not mention it? Also concerned that Spurs area is described as a ‘cultural quarter’, but the unique heritage/cultural quarter area around Bruce Castle is being ignored despite the extensive efforts of local residents and the Museum over the last 2 years.
Michele raised concerns about proposed access to the proposed Harringay Stadium site development being through her local (and nationally recognised) community garden, when there is another possible arch under the railway that hasn’t been considered. The Garden clearly requires recognition and maximum protection in the policies.
Next Steps
Dave to circulate notes to the Our Tottenham list, and we should all encourage people to participate in meetings and submissions.
Dave to write to council under the Our Tottenham Network umbrella asking for an all-Tottenham public meeting
Michele to circulate link to introductory webinar about the Plan.
Jeremy to set up quick website so we can pool submissions and comments: Update: https://ourtottenham.org.uk/haringey-draft-local-plan-2025/
We will call another Tottenham activists meeting Tues 9 Dec, Jeremy to provide 40 minute Zoom link.
