People living on a Tottenham estate have asked why money is being spent on a new tower block in open space rather than improving their homes.

Haringey Borough Council has made a bid for funding from the Mayor of London's office to create a new 'housing zone' on land adjoining the Chesnuts estate.

An early plan from architect Arup shows a tower block built on green land between Monument Way and Fairbanks Road.

But Lenah, a Fairbanks Road resident who did not want to give her surname, said there had been no consultations or meetings about the new buildings, while the condition of existing houses on the estate was worsening.

She said: “To build those flats on Monument Way – I just can’t get my head around that. And if they are going to build, we feel it should be in line with Tamar Way – two storey houses, and not a tower block. When are they going to come and talk to us?”

Lenah added the Decent Homes work on her house was meant to be completed by November, but had not yet begun.

She added: “To me, the council don’t care. They just want to build quickly then get people in.

"To them it’s all fancy carpets and fancy towers and money. It’s not about the wellbeing of the people on this estate. It’s about bringing new people in. It’s about targets.”

Zena Brabazon, chairman of Dowsett Road Resident’s Association, said building on the land was “just looking for any scrap of land.”

She said: “It’s taking away space without any concern for the people here on the estate.

“You get the impression that people in charge of planning think, somewhere in their minds, that those who live in public housing are just not as important as people who live in private developments.”

Martin Ball, chairman of Friends of Down Lane Park, said: “The plans we’ve seen so far smack of desperation. This is taking more open land away from the public.”

London Assembly Member Joanne McCartney joined residents on a walking tour of Chesnuts Estate.

She said: “I am happy to listen to resident’s concerns and I will be asking for clarity on the issues raised. It is at a very early stage and there will be public consultation in which residents and I will give our views. Residents views are vital in this process.”

A spokesman for Haringey Council said: “As well as renovating existing properties on the Chesnuts Estate through the Decent Homes programme and consulting with residents on bringing long-term improvements, we’re exploring options for new housing at nearby sites as part of our investment work across Haringey.

“Every family has the right to live in a modern, high-quality home, and we’re committed to bringing improvements where possible and building a range of new homes to help more families find an affordable way to get on the housing ladder.”