Council plans new homes on Highgate car wash site

The Haringey Council scheme is part of its wider efforts to build 3,000 social homes across the borough, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

The plans for new homes (top, credit MEPK Architects) and the existing car wash (bottom, credit Google)

New council homes could be built on the site of a car wash in Highgate.

Haringey Council has submitted a planning application for 16 homes at 505-511 Archway Road, with the current car wash being demolished if the plans are approved.

Two of the 16 homes will be semi-detached two-storey houses, while the remaining 14 homes will be flats, built in a four-storey block.

The council-owned site sits within Highgate Conservation Area.

The local authority said the new homes would “provide affordable, high-quality and secure homes to those on the housing register in the most urgent need” and contribute to its target of delivering 3,000 council homes by 2031, of which 2,000 are either underway or completed.

However, the council also listed a number of constraints on the site including “massing, materiality and appearance” given the location and the two semi-detached homes being overshadowed or overlooked by the block.

The site is on a corner, bounded by Archway Road and Bakers Lane, so there is “limited pedestrian access” and “limited access” for parking.

The scheme is proposed to be car-free with the exception of two disabled parking spaces servicing the ground floor flats as well as cycle parking.

More information on the scheme can be found via Haringey Council’s planning portal, using reference number HGY/2025/1220.

Local news needs your support

We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.