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=Office block flats plan a 'dismal effort'= Tottenham Journal (Wednesday, 28 May, 2008)

PLANS to transform empty industrial and office blocks into shops and more than 400 flats have been branded "unhappy architecture".

The plans for a series of blocks in the southern section of Lawrence Road, South Tottenham, were met with suspicion from residents when they were presented by agents for the developers at a public meeting.

An audience of more than 60 at Tottenham Leisure Centre in Philip Lane were worried about overdevelopment, overlooking and an "uninspiring" design.

They were also concerned about dividing the social and private housing into different blocks, separated by the road.

Ruth Allen, a member of the Wards Corner Community Coalition, said: "We think it is unambitious and over-dense. What we are faced with is monumentalist architecture - unhappy architecture.

"Can you explain to me how you think this development is going to enhance this area of Tottenham?"

Anna Gavriel, one of the consultants, replied: "The site is under-utilised. There are issues of housing and affordability, and we are seeking to provide for the rising population."

But this didn't appease the audience. Henry Binns, of Bedford Road, was greeted with a round of applause after remarking: "This is an extremely disappointing quality of architecture. It is a pretty dismal effort and I don't think the council has any business in approving it."

But consultant Kuldip Malhotra said the architects "have been very, very reasonable about it in terms of design".

Green thinking means rainwater will be "harvested", there will be 207 cycle rack spaces, and the development will produce nearly 40 per cent less carbon emissions than equivalent developments.

As well as some shops or cafes on the ground floor, the 414 flats will be split into 250 private units and 164 "affordable" social housing units on the other.

They will include 166 two-bed, 137 one-bed, 80 three-bed and 31 four-bed flats, with the bigger flats weighted towards the affordable housing provision.

Judith Hanna was one of many to criticise the decision to keep private and social housing apart.

She said: "This is the most ethnically diverse local authority area in Europe. We think it works because different people are mixed together, among each other. If you want community cohesion you don't build segregated physical environments."

Comments from the meeting may be taken on board by the developers before the application is debated and decided upon later in the year.