Grainger's vision for the future of Wards Corner.

Wards Corner battlelines redrawn

by Flora Drury Friday, July 20, 2012
2:07 PM

Battle lines are being redrawn over the future of a Victorian department store after the Mayor of London rubber-stamped a controversial plan for the site.

WCC's vision for the future of Wards Corner.

Developer Grainger’s updated plans for Wards Corner – approved at a planning meeting last month - received the backing of Boris Johnson’s office last week, removing what would usually be the final hurdle against the development being built.

Yet in spite of the nod from the Mayor’s office, the Wards Corner Community Coalition (WCC) has not been deterred from ploughing ahead with its vision for the future of the site above Seven Sisters Tube station.

Its plans will go on show for the public to inspect at Tottenham Chances Arts and Music Centre in High Road, next Thursday evening.

The group is still hopeful its plans to regenerate the building – vastly different from Grainger’s plans to demolish the site and build a completely new complex comprising 197 homes, a public square, shops and a market – will win the approval of the community, and later the council.

Both sides are also aware of the 90-day window the WCC now has to challenge Haringey’s decision in the courts.

WCC’s Roy Jose has also been advised to lobby Sir Edward Lister - the man understood to have approved the development for the Mayor. He said: “The fight will go on until the bulldozers come along.”

But Grainger’s David Walters said he was hopeful the battle would not end up in court. He said: “Once we are at the stage when no further challenge can be made we will at last be able to work to a programme for delivery. We will be able to draw up detailed plans for the new market with existing traders; ensure those displaced by the development are practically and financially assisted; announce new shops for Seven Sisters and deliver on the investment promise for the benefit of people of Seven Sisters and Tottenham.”

- Find out more about the WCC plans at www.wardscornercommunityplan.wordpress.com.

See Grainger’s plans by visiting www.sevensistersregeneration.co.uk.