The council-owned New River Sports and Fitness Centre could host live music events with alcohol sales if a new licensing application is granted, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter
A Haringey councillor says residents have been left “blindsided” by plans which could see 2,000-capacity live events at New River Sports and Fitness Centre.
The council-owned facility in White Heart Lane could host live music events with alcohol sales if a new licensing application from the local authority is granted.
Labour councillor Lucia das Nevas has criticised the local authority, saying she and residents were not properly informed about the plans or given enough time to respond to the consultation, which closed on Monday (1st).
This is despite the fact that the application was submitted on Tuesday, 5th May. At this point, Cllr das Nevas was a cabinet member for the Labour administration running the council.
Her party lost its majority two days later, following the local election on Thursday, 7th May. The current, minority Green administration officially took charge on Wednesday, 20th May, following the council’s annual meeting.
In a statement, Cllr das Nevas, who is vice-chair of Haringey Council’s licensing committee – and a member of its licensing sub committee – said: “Many local residents feel blindsided by the scale of what is being proposed.
“People accept and enjoy a community sports centre as part of local life, but a licence allowing 2,000-capacity events with live music and alcohol sales raises serious questions about residential impact and public consultation.”
The Woodside ward councillor said she was “disappointed” that she was not informed before the application was submitted and claimed that the local authority “did not engage the community”.
“Furthermore, this was put out just as the election was taking place – a time when councillors are distracted and usually only business-as-usual matters take place”, Cllr das Nevas added.
A ‘budget book’ for the 2026/27 financial year refers to a need to increase council income from New River Sports Centre through a “commercialisation plan”. The council took control of Haringey’s leisure centres in October 2024.
Both publication of the budget document and the local authority’s leisure centre takeover occurred while Cllr das Nevas’ Labour group were running the local authority.
Zoe Robertson, programme director for wellbeing and climate at the council, responded to das Nevas’ comments and said: “New River Leisure Centre is a key resource in Haringey, and we want to protect it as a community asset.
“The application process has fully complied with the licensing legislation and statutory guidance.”
Robertson, who is an officer and not in a political role, added: “The consultation launched on 5th May 2026 giving all councillors a full 25 days after the pre-election period to ask us any questions if they had them or submit comments in response to the application.”
She continued: “A decision has not yet been made on this application. The licensing sub-committee will hold a meeting at which it will carefully consider the application and all responses to the consultation and then make its decision in accordance with applicable legislation and guidance.”
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