Haringey Council put up notices telling residents to use a non-existent QR code, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Haringey Council has extended the deadline for people to respond to a Tottenham Hotspur planning application after putting up notices telling people to use a non-existent QR code.

The council was alerted to the error after a resident said she saw several application notices pinned up in streets near the stadium which stated people could “view and comment” on the application by using a web address which needed to be typed in manually – or they could “use the QR code below” despite it being missed off. 

There was also the option to send a comment via letter. 

The council has since confirmed it has now replaced all the incorrect application forms and extended the deadline to respond by eleven days.

Sarah Williams, cabinet member for housing services, private renters and planning, said: “To help ensure the community is informed, engaged and can have their say, we recently introduced QR codes to our notices and letters to make it easy for local people to access information on planning applications using their mobile device. 

“It was brought to our attention on Friday [3 May 2024] that a QR code had not been printed on the notices for the application to increase the number of non-football events at the stadium.  Whilst not a statutory requirement, we have replaced the notices at the earliest opportunity and have extended the consultation period until 28 May 2024. 

“We have notified a large number of residents directly through letters and erected site notices across a wide area so that there is plenty of opportunity for the local community to comment.”

The resident who spotted the error believes the application, which is a proposal to almost double non-football related events that could be held in the stadium each year from 16 to 30, would not be met with support. 

“This is something that is going to screw up the neighbourhood for up to a month extra a year,” she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“This goes all the way from Edmonton to Tottenham Hale, people will have their lives affected by this. 

“Shouldn’t they be making sure residents are happy with this before going ahead because I can tell you most residents are not.”

She added that some events cause major traffic congestion, while also making White Hart Lane Station “unusable”.

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