17 council homes at 2 to 240 Block, Tottenham, London N15

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing hardstanding and building two four-storey blocks containing 17 social-rent homes with amenity, landscaping, cycle and refuse facilities.

“Demolition of hardstanding and construction of two, four-storey residential buildings labelled Block A and Block B; • Provision of 17 new social-rent homes (Use Class C3); • Provision of amenity space including new landscaping; • Provision of refuse/recycling stores; • Provision of car parking spaces for blue badge holders and cycle parking; and • Enhancement of existing amenity space within the existing estate.”

“The proposal seeks to provide 17 new homes with associated landscaping and would be contained within two, four-storey, freestanding buildings constructed on a combination of underused green space and hard standing parking areas (there would be no loss of car parking, but the car parking layout will be reconfigured - this is covered later in the report).”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is an underused green space and parking area within a residential estate, near public transport, shops and other services.

“The site is located within a post-war residential estate to the north-east of Finsbury Park. The site currently comprises an underused green space and hard standing parking areas. The site is surrounded by 4-5 storey high residential blocks, car parking and a modest church building located to the north.”

“The wider area is predominantly residential in character, accommodating a range of property types and styles. Tiverton Estate is within proximity of shops and cafes/pubs and other services located on Seven Sisters Road. Despite its predominantly residential location, varied services and amenities can be accessed by sustainable transport modes including walking, cycling and public transport.”

Officer report

Planning history

There was no planning or enforcement history for the site.

“Relevant Planning and Enforcement history…”

“There is no planning or enforcement history for the site. The site where the housing is proposed is currently an underused green space and hard standing parking areas.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the scheme would provide affordable housing, high-quality design, improved open space, biodiversity gains and acceptable living conditions.

“Planning policy recognises the important role and contribution that medium sized sites such as this play in meeting an identified need for new housing in the borough. The site is within an established neighbourhood with good access to public transport and existing neighbourhood facilities, where planning policy expects additional housing at a greater density than existing.”

“The proposal would provide a comprehensive hard and soft landscaping scheme and enhancements to public open space.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Internal and external consultees raised no objections, subject to conditions or contributions where specified.

“Transportation: No objection, subject to conditions/contributions.”

Officer report

Neighbour comments

Five individual objections raised concerns about overdevelopment, parking, traffic, open-space loss, noise, overcrowding and inadequate green space.

“The issues raised in representations that are material to the determination of the application are set out in Appendix 2 and summarised as follows:”

“Overdevelopment/High Density • Additional parking required/increase in traffic • Loss of open space • Noise and disturbance • Green energy generation not considered • Overcrowding • Proposed green space is gated • Inadequate parking space for existing and new residents • Additional green space is required…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The principal planning officer introduced the application, while the head of development management and enforcement planning summed up the recommendation.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed apprenticeships, neglected open space, estate maintenance, solar panels, courtyard access, parking enforcement, graffiti and wider estate management.

“The following was noted in response to questions from the committee: • Members were informed that there had been several notable successes arising from the apprenticeship opportunities created through the Council’s Housing development programme. Officers reported that some apprentices had achieved wider recognition, including one who had recently accompanied his employer to the House of Commons to receive a commendation from the Member of Parliament for Tottenham.”

“The applicant confirmed that the design of the improved open space would be developed to prevent it from functioning as an unmanaged or neglected area. Secondly, it was noted that the Council could make use of powers outside of the planning system to ensure compliance with rules governing the disposal of waste.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The recommendation was approved with eight votes in favour, no abstentions and no objections.

“The Chair asked Catherine Smyth, Head of Development Management and Enforcement Planning to sum up the recommendation as set out in the report. The Chair moved that the recommendation be approved following a vote of 8 in favour, 0 abstentions and 0 objections.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted subject to completing the agreement by 4 June 2026, conditions and informatives.

“That the Committee resolve to GRANT planning permission and that the Head of Development Management or the Director of Planning and Building Standards is authorised to issue the planning permission and impose conditions and informatives subject to the signing of an agreement providing for the obligations set out in the Heads of Terms below.”

“That, following completion of the agreement(s) referred to in resolution (2.1) within the time period provided for in resolution (2.3) above, planning permission be granted in accordance with the Planning Application subject to the attachment of the conditions and informatives.”

Minutes