New town hall plans on show (From Haringey Independent)

New town hall plans on show

7:07pm Thursday 6th December 2007 in Feature Focus By Caron Kemp

PLANS for the regeneration of Tottenham Town Hall, which promise "a vibrant cultural space" and much needed affordable housing will be revealed next week.

Proposals to build around 150 homes alongside small business units in the Town Hall will be showcased at the first of a series of open consultations at the venue, in Tottenham High Road, on Wednesday.

They come a year after Haringey Council chose Newlon Housing Trust to undertake the project on the three-acre site which comprises the Town Hall, adjoining car park and old Clyde Road depot site.

The trust wants to retain the exterior of the 102-year-old Grade II-listed building including the internal staircase and the Moselle Room, often used for community functions, while turning the car park into a courtyard leading to the new Bernie Grant Arts Centre.

Of the 150 new homes on the former council depot site, 60 per cent would be affordable.

Councillor Kaushika Amin, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This is an important step forward in bringing new life to this part of Tottenham and preserving the heritage of the Town Hall.

"This scheme will provide new facilities and much needed housing, as well as complementing the adjacent Bernie Grant performing arts centre."

Mike Hinch, chief executive of Newlon Housing Trust, added: "Our plans will create a vibrant cultural space by linking the Town Hall to the arts centre, improve access to the Moselle Room for use by the community, support businesses and provide affordable housing."

However, councillor Wayne Hoban, Liberal Democrat regeneration spokesman, is concerned that too many housing units and small business units are being created in the area.

He said: "Tottenham is in danger of becoming accommodation rich, but quality of environment poor. It is vital this consultation exercise takes into account the real needs of residents, particularly provision of quality schools, NHS services and transport necessary to support such developments."

Representatives from the council and th housing trust will be at the consultation event, which runs from 2.30pm to 7pm, to answer questions.

The proposals will remain at Tottenham Town Hall until the end of January and will also be available to view at the Wood Green, Marcus Garvey and Hornsey libraries before a planning application is submitted early next year.

For more information, call Lis Rodrigues at Newlon Housing Trust on 020 7613 6889.