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=Wards Corner campaigners to fight on after High Court setback= Ellizabeth Pears - Haringey Independent (Thursday 16th July 2009)


 * A BITTER battle to save Wards Corner from demolition suffered a major setback on Tuesday when the High Court ruled that planning approval for a luxury development was not biased.

The site above Seven Sisters Tube station has been the subject of a tug-of-war between developer Grainger and campaigners who want to preserve the old Ward department store.

The company plans to knock down the Edwardian building in favour of luxury housing and a public square with high street chain stores. || || Haringey Council approved Grainger’s plan stating it would mark the start of new life in Tottenham, but the Wards Corner Community Coalition argued the decision was not made with an open mind and would kill the small but flourishing businesses that cater to Haringey’s diverse ethnic community.

The council’s planning chairman Councillor Sheila Peacock was accused of saying on three occasions that she wanted Wards Corner to be demolished before the developer’s application was even submitted.

Councillors voted five in favour and four against, meaning Ms Peacock’s vote was crucial, argued David Wolfe, the lawyer acting on behalf of claimant Janet Harris.

But after a two-day hearing last month, deputy High Court Judge Keith Lindblom QC said he found the decision was within the law.

David Walters, Grainger’s development director, said: “Now the court has confirmed the permission is valid, we are back on track and able to continue to work to deliver our vision for making the regeneration of Seven Sisters the success the community deserves.

“There is still a lot of work to be done with all parties before we can start on site; however this is a large step forward and we continue to be committed to regenerating this long-neglected area of London.”

Haringey Council also welcomed the decision which it said confirmed that the conduct of its staff was “correct and appropriate”. But the WCC is already preparing to appeal.

Spokesman Wendy Keenan said: “We are shocked and saddened by this decision.

“We felt we had a case and got the impression that the judge agreed we had compelling evidence. But we always knew this was going to be a long fight and we are ready to keep going and hope to have our case heard by an appeal judge.”