Estate ballot agreed for council's Broadwater Farm plans

Haringey Council plans to built up to 295 new homes on the estate following the demolition three years ago of 198 flats that were deemed unsafe
By Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

Broadwater Farm was originally built in the 1970s, but has suffered from structural issues and other problems in recent years (credit Google Street View)

Plans to redevelop a Tottenham estate have taken a step forward after councillors agreed to ballot residents on the proposals.

People living at Broadwater Farm Estate will be asked to vote either for or against Haringey Council’s plans to build up to 295 new homes for council rent following the demolition of 198 units in two existing blocks.

In 2018, structural faults were found in the Tangmere and Northolt blocks on the estate, putting them at risk of collapse. Residents were subsequently moved out of the blocks and rehoused. The council now plans to knock down the two buildings, which date back to the 1970s, after an option to strengthen them was deemed “extremely costly”.

A report presented to the council’s cabinet on Tuesday revealed new homes would be prioritised for those returning from the demolished blocks. It also claimed the scheme would lead to “a range of improvements on the estate”, including new open spaces, a modernised health facility, and commercial units for shops and other local enterprises.

But Jacob Secker, secretary of Broadwater Farm Residents’ Association, slammed the plans and claimed the new homes would be unaffordable to some local residents. Rents for the new homes could be up to 10% higher than average rents on the current estate.

Speaking during a deputation to the cabinet meeting, Jacob said: “The proposals mean a large increase in rent for the new homes. This will very negatively affect current and potential tenants. The proposals are largely to disproportionately affect black people and people from ethnic minorities, and are discriminatory.”

He described the cabinet report as “dismissive” of those who would be unable to afford the higher rents, as it states that “no-one will have to move to the new homes if they cannot afford to”. Jacob claimed this was a “bad case of institutional racism” and could be open to legal challenge under the Equalities Act.

Ruth Gordon, the council’s cabinet member for housebuilding, placemaking and development, defended the plans and denied the claims of discrimination, saying Bame [black, Asian and minority ethnic] people would benefit from the estate redevelopment.

She said only 10% of units on the current estate were family homes, and this would be upped to 30% under the council’s plans. Cllr Gordon added that the new homes would have gardens, terraces or balconies; the estate would have safer streets; and it would be decarbonised – and these changes would “disproportionately impact the Bame community in a positive way”.

Cllr Gordon claimed “every borough in London” used a government formula to determine council rents, and that discounting rents across the borough would mean the civic centre having to scrap its refurbishment plans, which would have a “discriminatory impact”. She added that those living in the new homes could save up to £250 per year on their energy bills.

Cabinet members unanimously agreed to go ahead with the ballot, which is expected to take place early next year.

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