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=Approved development 'disregarded' Tottenham's diversity= Elizabeth Pears - Haringey Independent (Tuesday 22nd June 2010)

THE needs of Tottenham's diverse community were ignored in approving a luxury development in an area of social inequality, an opposition councillor blasting Haringey Council has said. Celebrating a Court of Appeal verdict quashing the decision of a Judicial Review, which allowed the demolition of Wards Corner to stand, Liberal Democrat councillor David Schmitz said the council had not shown "due regard" for the people of Tottenham.

Under the plans, the Latin American market based on the site and other small businesses selling specialist foods to ethnic minority residents, in West Green Road, would have been forced out of the area. In their place there would have been high street chains.

Houses in the development from Grainger would have also been out of the price range of many residents in the area. The proposals prompted residents, small business owners and conservationists to form the Wards Corner Community (WCC) coalition.

Mr Schmitz said: "Ward’s Corner is a place where people from all over the world live together in harmony and run businesses that serve the whole community. If the Council's decision had stood, all of that would have been swept aside to make way for blocks of flats and chain stores.

"The Council’s decision was struck down because they did not do what the law required, which was to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity and the need to promote good relations between persons of different racial groups."

Lord Justice Pill ruled that Haringey Council had failed to take equality considerations into account and did not consider the impact the redevelopment would have on diverse community.

His judgement means Haringey Council must start the process again.

Mr Schmitz said: "This judgement is a testament to the determination and courage of the Ward’s Corner Community coalition to protect this vital community asset which makes Seven Sisters a uniquely diverse place."

The Harringay ward councillor and barrister who has backed the community campaign offering free legal advice said the case set a precedent that would make it difficult for plans which included a "wholesale destruction" to survive future court challenges.

Haringey Council said it was now considering "the best ways forward" for the community, adding it was still committed to regenerating Seven Sisters.

The local authority also hastened to point out that the original Judicial Review supported their decision.

A statement read: "Judicial opinion was clearly divided over this issue. Our case had been upheld in the High Court but the Court of Appeal came to another view. We had no intention of not complying with the law and are grateful for this clarification.

"We welcome the court’s recognition of the desire in the borough for regeneration of the area. We note that, apart from some considerations, the Court of Appeal concluded that the council followed a thorough and fair procedure."