Politicians have accused Haringey Borough Council of ignoring residents’ concerns as the future of Hornsey Depot is due to be decided.

The decision to build a new supermarket, car park and more than 400 homes on the site was deferred on Monday, January 20, to allow developers time to address residents’ concerns.

Liberal Democrat councillors have criticised the Labour-run council for rearranging the planning decision for just two weeks later on Tuesday, February 4.

Hornsey Councillor Errol Reid said: “Labour’s decision to press ahead with this meeting and ignore the concerns of local people is disgraceful.

“There will clearly be no significant changes to the plans to take into account residents’ views following the first planning meeting.

“We want to see the site developed but it must be the right development for the community and traders, not any development at any cost.”

The planning application was put forward by the developer St James and Sainsbury’s.

They want to build 438 flats, a supermarket and an accompanying car park on the 3,250sq ft site.

The move to defer the application was made despite the authority’s planning officers recommendation that the proposal should be given planning permission.

Committee members voted unanimously for deferral after listening to a range of concerns over the plans, which included the height of the proposed buildings and the density of the development.

Residents also complained about the limited play areas for children and the size of the Sainsbury’s store and its impact on local traders.

Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone has previously lodged objections and called on the developer to do more to address the concerns of residents.

Ms Featherstone said: “It is clear that Labour don’t care about what local people think.

"Concerns about St James’ track record in Hornsey have been completely ignored.

“There have been a number of serious problems with the flats they built on the New River site and that needs to be addressed.”

Despite the concerns people who live in Hornsey are keen to see the site, which has been unused for more than a decade, finally developed.

Cllr Alan Strickland, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said:“This proposal will deliver homes and jobs to Hornsey that are badly needed and it is right that we are taking additional time to carefully consider the scheme.

“The Labour council has worked hard to raise resident’s concerns with St James and has won important concessions including reduced height, improvements to the car park and an agreement to maintain part of the heritage building.

“When Labour is working hard with residents to listen to their concerns and make improvements to the scheme, it’s sad to see the Lib Dems simply trying to score political points and as usual they are misrepresenting the facts.”