The decision was approved at Haringey Council Civic Centre

Neighbours ‘heartbroken’ over Tottenham laundry battle

by Flora Drury Thursday, May 17, 2012
9:53 PM

Residents are “heartbroken” after a Tottenham laundry business which has made their lives “hell” was given permission to expand.

The Steamhouse Group in White Hart Lane has been allowed to extend its commercial laundry complex, which backs on to homes in Thetford Close.

Haringey Council’s planning committee agreed to plans to create a loading bay, construct a vehicle maintenance building and fit a new retaining wall and acoustic fence.

But residents - who packed the public gallery during Monday’s planning meeting - were dismayed as they claim the business has made their lives intolerable for the last four years.

Their problems started when their back gardens subsided in 2008, allegedly the result of the company - which serves a number of four and five-star West End hotels - removing an embankment to make way for a new parking area. The subsidance is currently part of separate court action.

Jackie Chorley, speaking on behalf of her neighbours, told the planning committee the noise from the vans, coaches and the laundry itself goes on through the night, wakes residents and makes enjoying what is left of their gardens nearly impossible.

Ms Chorley said: “Our lives have been made hell. This man just does as he likes. If you go and complain, he just walks away from you.

“We have never had this before. We do not think we should have to put up with it.”

But the planning committee granted permission to owner David Dervish - despite the council having previously served enforcement notices on the back of residents’ complaints - on the condition he construct a retaining wall and acoustic fence first, as well as insulate the laundry to prevent noise escaping.

Speaking after the meeting, Ms Chorley told the Journal her neighbours would be “heartbroken” by the decision.