2003+Deputation


 * DELEGATION TO REGENERATION SCRUTINY PANEL ON 27.11.03 ABOUT WARDS CORNER PROPOSALS**

I am Sue Penny, speaking on behalf of a network of residents in the Tottenham Green area.

Improvements to Ward’s Corner have been eagerly awaited for many years, are desperately needed and therefore warmly welcomed. Above all people want something they can feel proud of in their neighbourhood. In one of the 3 biggest crime hotspots in the borough they also want to see proper enforcement of the law and regulations. Combined with evening activity at the site such as a restaurant this would make the area safer.

We have been greeted on leaving the tube station for 10 years by burnt out buildings. Redevelopment of the site could take another ten years. We therefore request immediate measures to restore the burnt out buildings and build a waterproof canopy from the tube exit to bus stop as recommended by English Heritage.

Though this site affects a large segment of the borough population it was very easy to miss the so called ‘consultation’ on the development brief. Few of us received the leaflet said to have been delivered to 12,000 doors. One Residents Association requested information on 19 August and received it on 17 September. The officers’ excuse was printing technicalities and change of date of drop in sessions. These sessions were held on 19 and 20 September with a deadline of 29th – only 10 days – 10 days is not long enough for such important proposals. We therefore demand a new, properly planned and advertised public consultation on the Ward’s corner proposals and to be informed what changes are made to the development brief to reflect residents’views.

We also want a written guarantee from the Council of proper public consultation in future for all developments in Tottenham.

We have given up our time to come here tonight to ask for better consultation. We can help the Council to reach a wider range of residents if plans are advertised well in advance. Unfortunately there have been many previous occasions in Tottenham where this poor quality of consultation has occurred. The Council’s Community Strategy states that it wants to learn from the experience and expertise of local people. We hope the Council will value our contribution instead of seeing us as a nuisance.

Specific Comments

Though a feasibility survey of local people’s views took place, traders in the Seven Sisters market were not included. This thriving multi-cultural small business community should be celebrated and supported. Putting them out of business would conflict with the Council’s aim of supporting local enterprise and employment

- The Wards Department store is an elegant and distinctive building in an area with few distinctive original buildings. It has an imposing glass frontage on three floors, dramatic spacious accommodation and is lit by eight glass atriums with original plasterwork and bed-sit flats. If restored it could be combined with an improved tube station to create an attractive shopping and café area.

- We welcome good quality modern design but in view of the poor quality new buildings which are being given planning permission in the surrounding conservation area we have little confidence that knocking down this existing quality building would result in a high quality replacement.

We will therefore oppose the granting of conservation area consent to demolish this building unless and until a better and excellently designed alternative scheme is presented.

__**Speech - Delegation 27 November 2003 - Jill Oakley, Proprietor, Seven Sisters Market**__

I am here to represent both myself as the Proprietor and the Traders of Seven Sisters Market.

The entire building has not been derelict for 40 years. No mention has been made of London Transport and Corob Holdings and their total and utter lack of inactivity. Simply, nothing has been done by either of these parties for many years. Buildings have been burned down, people have died - the wreckage remains. What more can I say.


 * In the relatively short time I have been managing the Market I have lost track of the number of interested people in the abandoned space. After in-depth conversations, most have said, we don’t stand a chance. Jill, you do it, you understand them and us.**


 * In the summer of last year I set up a meeting with interested parties as I wished to purchase 251/253 High Road. The meeting was cancelled. I was told - it is political. In retrospect, was this because a larger plan was being considered?**

I live in Tunbridge Wells and I am the Proprietor of a business in Tottenham. There are many jokes about people who live in Tunbridge Wells. However, I am totally dispassionate with regard to nationalities. My door is open to everyone. I am not interested in providing a venue for any one section of society.

I have been running Seven Sisters Market for 2 ½ years and during that time have been re-generating the Market (Crime has reduced dramatically). Just ask anyone who works in the Market or comes to the Market. Come and see for yourself whether I and the existing Traders have been successful. Financial help is always appreciated and monies are always required where old buildings are concerned. However, it is the sheer motivation of the people involved that governs success or failure.

We have totally committed ourselves to the area and invested money, time and effort in the Borough to provide safe and a friendly environment for the local residents and are exactly the type of people who the Council have always said they will support.

Since the Market was established eighteen years ago it has provided a launching pad for small businesses, many of whom have moved on and taken a lease on their own shop.

It would appear that you proposing to destroy the initiatives of small people who have brought stability to the area. If the development goes ahead in its present form they will suffer the most. Don’t let any of us pretend that there will be any room for small individuals. If the development goes ahead it is the multi-nationals who will rule the day.

It is not easy for myself and the Traders to carry on investing money, being enthusiastic, when the future is uncertain. If the development does go ahead it is crucial that we at Seven Sisters Market have a full timetable and somewhere else to go.

All within the Market feel isolated from the political scenario. However, myself and the existing Leaseholders of Seven Sisters Market feel that we can build on our efforts and continue to make a tremendous difference to the area. The existing Lease expires in May 2005. Can we rely on you to support us in negotiating an extension of the existing Lease? Or is the pulling down of the buildings a foregone conclusion? PLEASE HELP US.