A senior politician has accused Haringey Borough Council of doing a U-turn following its decision to build more than 100 new council homes.

Councillor Richard Wilson, the leader of Haringey’s Liberal Democrats, said his party had suggested a similar plan to tackle the borough’s housing crisis in February, this year, – but it was rejected by Labour councillors.

The amendment was defeated at a full council meeting, with 20 votes for it and 32 against it.

But to Cllr Wilson’s surprise, last week, the council announced plans to build housing for the first time since 1989.

He said: “We proposed building 100 council homes in our budget amendment in February this year and every Labour councillor at the meeting voted against our amendment.

“It is a shame that Labour has taken nine months to do this U-turn, change their mind and agree with us that building 100 council homes is the right thing to do.

“Building a few new council homes now won’t make up for the last 25 years of Labour failure to build a single council home but it is a step in the right direction.”

The Stroud Greed ward councillor added that the council will need to be far more ambitious and provide far more council homes in the future.

Previously, council leader Claire Kober said the proposals would unlock Haringey’s potential and increase the life chances of all of the borough’s residents.

She said: “Too many of our residents are putting up with sub-standard council housing, paying excessive rent to private landlords while struggling to save for a home of their own, or are worrying how their children will ever follow in their footsteps as the average house price in Haringey nears an eye-watering £400,000.

“We’re committed to building new council, shared ownership and private homes with a package of support to help more families get on the housing ladder and make sure everyone has the opportunity to live in a quality home.”