Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Haringey's Warehouse Districts Under Threat?
An item at tonight's Council Cabinet meeting has thrown into question the future survival of Haringey's two warehouse districts and the artistic communities who live in them.
Both the Harringay Warehouse District and the Fountayne Road community now face an uncertain future following the publication of a Haringey Council report, "Tackling Unauthorised Living in Industrial Areas". (Report attached)
The report, which was discussed at the full cabinet of the Council today, recommends a two-year project costing £600,000 which will seek to deal with "the growing problem of unauthorised residential and live work uses in and around (the) Industrial Sites" in Haringey. The recommended process is "to establish a special multi-disciplinary team to fully investigate and address the problem through a combination of regulation, improvement, enforcement and, where necessary, prosecution".
The alarm bells were ringing for me since earlier in the week I had discovered that these areas are earmarked as being amongst those that will "will accommodate the majority of development in the borough over the next 20 years".
In Facebook and Twitter conversations this afternoon, warehouse residents shared their fears that the vibrancy their communities bring to the borough will be overlooked and their communities sanitised and destroyed.
In response to my Twitter requests to Council Leader Claire Kober this evening to protect these communities, Cllr Kober sought to offer some reassurance:
@harringayonline some people in unacceptable conditions. My concern is for safe, decent properties. No intention to undermine communities
@harringayonline no intention to damage what's good. Priority is to go after rogue landlords just as we do elsewhere in borough
When I asked if she would ensure that warehouse residents will be involved, the Council Leader replied:
@harringayonline don't see any problem involving residents. Will ask officers to consider how best to achieve
I very much hope that the approach the Council takes in this project will support these communities rather than beginning the process of whittling them away.
Tags for Forum Posts: local plan, local plan 2014, site allocation plan, warehouse district
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Permalink Reply by Takaokagiejin on
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Do the units you own have planning permission for residential use and if is when was that granted?
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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Speak to Pavel and his team at Duckett's Common. There is a thread about them here.
Is it true that you have been approached by the Harringay Swingers to lease a unit but you refused on moral grounds? I would point out that they are much more discreet and quieter than young people with stereos.
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Permalink Reply by jenny on
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Omega Works Hermitage Road London N4 1LZ Briefing
Background
Omega Works, Hermitage Road, N4 1LZ is primarily industrial units. There has been an increasing use of the units over the past few years for residential live/work units, leading to noise nuisance from parties, and complaints of waste issues. The premises is located over two floors with up to 30 individual units in total on the ground and first floors. The site is in the ownership of two parties, Majorlink and Jacqueline Hancher.
Actions taken to date
Planning Enforcement served two Enforcement Notices on 6 August 2013 for the unauthorised change of use to live/work and employment/ live/work/residential. There is a right of appeal against the Enforcement Notice which comes into effect in September with a 6 month compliance period should an appeal not be lodged with the Planning Inspectorate.
The Neighbourhood Action Team service has visited the location and engaged with the occupiers and owners to ascertain waste storage and disposal arrangements currently in place. Where applicable the officer has liaised with Veolia on the removal of dumped rubbish and arranged for additional bins were required.
Key partners attended a meeting with Councillor Goldberg in January 2013 at which officers brainstormed what approach the council should take; the current action taken by planning enforcement and housing officers reflects this.
In summer 2011 all tenants were written to with a warning that Abatement Notices would be served if there was noise nuisance.
A Noise Abatement Notice was served upon the occupiers of Unit10B, Omega Works in October 2012.
In July 2013 the duty officer noted that Unit D was the source of noise nuisance and a Noise Abatement Notice was served on the tenants.
In July 2013 all the other tenants were written to with a warning that Abatement Notices would be served if there was noise nuisance.
A further partnership meeting took place on 8 August where key partners reviewed current actions to date and reviewed what other actions are possible.
The use of ASB legislation has been discussed, however this does not lend itself to deal with such incidents in isolation and would not be considered an appropriate remedy by the courts as the noise issues on their own fall under the noise nuisance legislation.
Planned actions
The Neighbourhood Action Officer will continue to monitor the location.
Private Sector Housing will commence enforcement action next week Monday 12th August. The required consultation notices will propose the serving of prohibition orders on many of the units although these will be suspended until the outcome of the planning action is known, providing the owners agree to improve the fire safety for all units thereby reducing the hazards. If the owners fail to comply the final decision may be prohibition orders on all units inspected, which may be subject to an appeal to a Residential Property Tribunal by the property owners.
A ward member correspondence letter is being prepared for local residents, highlighting action that has been taken to date and advising contact details of the enforcement response service should further noise nuisance be experienced.
Extra enforcement response resources have been put in place over weekends and officers have been advised to treat any calls of noise nuisance emanating from Omega works as a priority. Discussions are ongoing to determine whether this priority response can be carried out in conjunction with police colleagues.
Letters to the owners of the site have been prepared highlighting the disturbances local residents are experiencing, and that consideration should be given to neighbours.
We will continue to exert pressure on the owners and occupiers of the site. Formal action including prosecution and possible seizure of noise making equipment will be considered should a breach of a noise abatement notice be witnessed. This will take place whilst the planning enforcement and housing enforcement actions are ongoing and whilst possible discussions on the long term use of the site is carried out.
This is one of the emails I recieved from Cllrs
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The amount of noise needed to produce this sort of action is significant. Meanwhile Landlords Jacqueline Hancher and Majorlink line their pockets with the rents from illegal conversions while the community pay for enforcement through council taxes. Shameful.
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JennySee below. I know it's a lot to ask but I have pushed to get this listed as a priority site. If you are suffering please please call so we can record the incident and intervene. I believe we are on the way to solving this situation but we do need residents to let us know when something is happenning.I hope your weekend passes peacefully but if not please do get in touch
Joe Goldberg
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Permalink Reply by Sharon on
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I think Ms Hancher has got some front to challenge you on HOL after what you and your neighbours have clearly had to cope with for such a long time. I'd be feeling murderous!
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Hi Sharon
I agree with you, its absolutely outrageous! My family and I have suffered long enough. Over the years there had been too much of this. Another example-Live bands blaring music out on a Sunday, and when challeneged, I was met with "Oh we can only practise on a Sunday (This was 11.45) Another example-A noisy yoga lesson on the roof, a barbeque on the roof-countless all night raves on the roof-Fire work displays on the pavement-ALL Omega works-RAves all night long, spilling in to the streets with security taking money at the gate, the list is endless..
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Permalink Reply by Abi on
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In fairness it does look like she's spent many years trying to address these same problems from her own end (council not listening by the sound of it) so I can see why she's frustrated that several people have now levelled the same complaints at her.
And, uh, 'noisy yoga'? Sounds like a new form I've never heard of!
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Jenny, we have had similar issues (I e mailed you btw) with Overbury but unlike you I don't live directly opposite to them, although the noise has been disturbing. I haven't faced any hostility such as you are getting. I'm in touch with some of the warehouse residents and will meet soon to discuss neighbourly community cohesion. I feel for you, I'm sure many Holers do too although some,who don't live near the warehouses seem to have rose tinted glasses on about this 'vibrant community'
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But Abster, she came on all guns blazing, threatening to take legal action against jenny...
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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Jenny, thinking further about your comment "security taking money at the gate" it occurs to me that this may also be a matter for the Haringey Licensing Team.
Obviously they'd be concerned where crowds gather and there's a problem with people having to leave in a hurry. Probably the Noise team have liaised on this issue - especially with the Fire Service.
But just in case, if the events are continuing can you please report this to Haringey's Licensing Team. Again safety would be a priority. I've spoken to them and asked them to take a look at your comments on this thread. But it's best if people contact the team directly.
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