Press+-+Tottenham+Journal+-+Heritage+group+backs+people's+battle+to+save+Wards+Corner

=Heritage group backs people's battle to save Wards Corner= Tottenham Journal (Wednesday, 30 April, 2008)

CONSERVATION charity English Heritage has backed a people's campaign not to demolish a historic Victorian storefront.

The Wards Stores building, part of the Wards Corner site above Seven Sisters Tube station, Tottenham, is under threat of demolition in plans supported by Haringey Council. But English Heritage is urging the council's preferred developer, Grainger, not to rip it down. The building could be replaced by shops and flats in Tottenham High Road, between the junctions of Seven Sisters Road and West Green Road.

Although the conservation charity decided last year that the building did not warrant listed status, the weight of its objection may work in the favour of other objectors.

Richard Parish, historic buildings and areas advisor for English Heritage, asks for "a more sensitive scheme". His representation to the council said "concerns remain" about the extent of demolition.

Mr Parish adds the Wards Stores building "could be considered a local landmark".

He also blasted the Grainger plan, saying it "does not enforce the sense of place or local characteristics," and "cannot be considered to enhance the conservation area".

Grainger's plans so outraged residents that they came up with their own plans, also under consideration by the council. Matthew Bradby, chairman of Tottenham Civic Society, was happy with the news.

He said: "We applaud English Heritage's decision. It's now time for Grainger and The Bridge New Deal for Communities to go back to the drawing board."

Letters of representation on all the plans are still being accepted.