Broadwater Farm redevelopment backed by residents

Plans to redevelop a Tottenham estate can move forward after Haringey Council’s proposals were backed by residents.

The planned regeneration of the Broadwater Farm Estate won the support of 85% of residents who voted on the scheme, although only 55% of those who were eligible to vote took part in the ballot.

It will provide 294 new council homes; 242 to replace homes set to be knocked down and an extra 52 to help meet the local demand for social housing.

The council drew up plans to regenerate the estate, which was built in the 1960s and 70s, after structural faults were found in the Tangmere and Northolt blocks, putting them at risk of collapse. Strengthening the unsafe buildings was deemed “extremely costly”.

Under the plans, the two unsafe blocks will be demolished, along with the Stapleford North block, the enterprise centre and the medical centre. The redevelopment will see blocks ranging from three to nine storeys high built on the site, providing new homes, a modern health and wellbeing centre and affordable workspaces.

Ruth Gordon, cabinet member for house building, placemaking and development, said: “It’s fantastic to see residents vote yes and overwhelmingly back our plans for the delivery of high-quality, safe and genuinely affordable accommodation.

“I am proud of the schemes we are undertaking to deliver a new generation of council homes, and I’m delighted residents agree the Broadwater Farm plan is a worthy addition.”

Cllr Gordon described the proposals as “resident-led” and pledged to continue working with residents to ensure they “benefit most from the opportunities the redevelopment will bring”.

The vote took place because Greater London Authority rules state that regeneration projects involving the demolition of homes must have the backing of a majority of residents before they can receive funding from City Hall.

Residents currently living on the estate and those who were rehoused from Tangmere and Northolt blocks were able to vote on the proposals. The council says all Tangmere and Northolt tenants will be able to return to a new home once they are built, with priority for the remaining homes given to residents on the estate.

The ballot was the second of its kind in Haringey. The first, held last year, was on the proposed demolition of Tottenham’s Love Lane Estate to make way for the High Road West regeneration scheme. It saw 55.7% of residents back the council’s plans, with 69.4% of eligible voters taking part in the ballot.

Bob Hare, planning spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat opposition group, welcomed the “clarity” provided by the “emphatic result” of the Broadwater Farm ballot but said the “modest” turnout suggested many residents had doubts about the proposals.

He added: “It also underlines the importance of fully supporting residents that will have to move to temporary accommodation during the long processes of demolition and rebuilding.

“The council must also ensure that more than lip service is put into continuing engagement with all residents of Broadwater Farm during building works that cannot be other than highly disruptive.”

Both the Broadwater Farm regeneration and the High Road West scheme are due to be considered by Haringey Council’s planning subcommittee on Thursday, 17th March.