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=Wards Corner judicial review expected today= Elizabeth Pears - Haringey Independent (Tuesday 14th July 2009)

THE outcome of a judicial review that could decide the future of Wards Corner is expected today.

Resident Janet Harris, part of the Wards Corner Community Coalition (WCC), applied for a judicial review arguing that Haringey Council's decision to grant developer Grainger a planning application was not done with an open-mind.

Lawyers alleged that planning chair Councillor Sheila Peacock had said on three occasions prior to any application being submitted that she intended to approve the plans.

Developer Grainger's plans include 200 luxury homes, shops, restaurants, a one-stop-shop for council services and a public square.

But it also means the current buildings would be demolished which the WCC say will ruin the area and put small traders out of business.

The WCC submitted an alternative vision for Wards Corner with an emphasis on restoration rather than demolition, but a decision is still outstanding.

Wards Corner is situated above Seven Sisters Tube station and is currently home to a vibrant Latin American indoor market.

The council earmarked the site as badly in need of regeneration and want it to act as a landmark gateway to Tottenham.

More to follow