New council homes in Wood Green named in honour of late councillor

The recently completed scheme of 80 flats has been named Nilgun Canver Court in tribute to the former cabinet member who died in 2017

Council leader Peray Ahmet, London Assembly member Joanne McCartney, and Southgate and Wood Green MP Bambos Charalambous at the launch of the Nilgun Canver council homes

A major new council housing development has been named in honour of a long-serving councillor and community champion.

London’s deputy mayor for housing and residential development Tom Copley joined Haringey Council leader Peray Ahmet, Wood Green MP Bambos Charalambous and London Assembly member Joanne McCartney for a tour to see how 80 families will benefit from the new council homes for rent in the heart of Wood Green’s so-called ‘cultural quarter’.

The recently completed scheme of 80 flats will be called Nilgun Canver Court in tribute to the former cabinet member, who died in 2017.

One of the first of Turkish origin to take up a political post, Nilgun Canver was elected in 1998 as a councillor for St Ann’s Ward, which she represented for 16 consecutive years. She was heavily involved in overseeing the revival of Green Lanes and worked tirelessly to improve the wellbeing of the Turkish community in this country.

Sarah Williams, Haringey’s deputy leader and cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “We are proud that Nilgun Canver will be remembered and honoured through this important project.

“This is another milestone as we see the completion of another 80 council homes that will benefit so many of our residents.

“This former derelict site has been transformed, giving individuals and local families the opportunity to live in secure, safe, warm high-quality homes. It is a wonderful legacy to everything Nilgun did for Haringey.

“I’m especially pleased to welcome Tom Copley so he can see first-hand how the support of the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is helping us deliver our ambitious housebuilding programme that is making a real difference to the lives of local people.”

The council says sustainability has been central to the planning and design of the scheme, which uses high levels of insulation and air-source pumps to cut household bills and emissions. Residents have access to a shared garden with new trees, plants and landscaping.

Transforming the site of a former chocolate factory, the development on Clarendon Road has been built with environmentally friendly materials.

It is part of the council’s award-winning housebuilding programme to deliver 3,000 council homes by 2031, with more than 2,000 already started or completed.

Charalambous added: “We celebrated the completion of 80 new council homes in the heart of Wood Green, as well as the life of Nilgün Canver herself.

“She was a tireless representative and champion of Haringey Council and this is a very fitting tribute to her.”

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