TOTTENHAM gets a hoarding for five years...and...
....the ELEPHANT gets a steel mesh fence
A three-metre high steel mesh security fence could be erected around part of the Heygate Estate for a ‘temporary period of five years’, writes Paul Coleman.
The fence will be placed around a number of blocks including Ashenden, Claydon, Cuddington, Marsten, Chearsley and Risborough - if a Southwark Council planning application - reference 13/AP/0508 - is approved.
Last January, Southwark Council and developer Lend Lease secured outline planning consent to demolish and re-develop the 22-acre Heygate Estate at Elephant and Castle in south London. Detailed consent for the Rodney Road first phase of the overall 13-year Heygate 'regeneration' project was secured last month.
Southwark Council is trying to compulsorily purchase the homes of remaining Heygate leaseholders. Government inspector Wenda Fabian is expected to report to the Secretary of State soon after closing a four-day compulsory purchase order last February.
Now almost emptied, the Heygate once housed over 3,000 people in over 1,200 council homes. Over 2,300 new homes are planned over the next 13 years including 71 social rent (council) homes.
(Above): Most of the buildings of the Heygate Estate, completed in 1974, remain structurally intact, overlooked by one of London's largest 'urban canopies' of mature London Plane trees.
Developer Grainger wants to advertise its plans to redevelop Wards Corner in Tottenham by fixing an advertising hoarding to the building, writes Paul Coleman.
Grainger seeks to secure approval for its planning application – reference HGY/2013/0208 – to display a 6.5 metre high and 19m wide ‘hoarding sign’ until the end of 2018. The hoarding would adorn the Wards Department Store, a renowned local landmark on the corner of Tottenham High Road and Seven Sisters Road in north London.
Excitement
Grainger say the hoarding (above) will depict ‘a computer generated artist’s impression of the proposed development of the larger site area that has recently gained planning approval’.
Grainger adds: ‘Given the anticipated support and excitement around the proposed development the hoarding will give shop owners, visitors and passers-by a glimpse of the vision for the site and demonstrate the intentions of the site owner for Seven Sisters Regeneration.’
Grainger secured planning consent in July 2012 to demolish Wards Corner and redevelop the site with 196 new homes for sale, shops and a revamped indoor market. None of the new homes will be ‘affordable’ or social rented (council). Haringey councillors narrowly voted in favour of the scheme on the recommendation of planning officers.
Bitterly opposed
But the scheme, based on a 2007 development agreement between Haringey and Grainger, remains opposed by residents and Latin American, African, Asian and Caribbean market traders. The Wards Corner Community Coalition has applied to the High Court to seek a judicial review of Haringey’s approval.The WCC also submitted its own alternative ‘community-led regeneration’ plan in July 2012.
Wards Corner is close to a part of Tottenham where serious anti-police rioting broke out in August 2011. The disorder spread to other parts of Tottenham, across London and to other English cities.
Full story: Wards Corner ‘regeneration’ saga
© Paul Coleman, London Intelligence, March 2013
LONDON INTELLIGENCE NEWS...March 2013
