Wood Green project updates

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Permalink Reply by Lara on December 12, 2023 at 12:12

From a small bit of research:

2005 Regeneration plans

https://www.haringey.gov.uk/sites/haringeygovuk/files/haringey_hear...

2016 plans

https://www.haringey.gov.uk/sites/haringeygovuk/files/wgf_consultat...

2017 plans

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/commonplace-cloudfront/resources...

The new 2023 plans

https://www.haringey.gov.uk/sites/haringeygovuk/files/shaping_wood_...

I don't really see what Haringey council does other than pay for people to make a new vision every few years then scrap them and start again. I'm interested in if any of this will happen this time round

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Permalink Reply by Alison M on December 12, 2023 at 17:56

Re the Mecca Bingo site, this was posted on 7 December 2023 https://londonboroughofharingey.my.site.com/pr/s/planning-applicati...  

It looks like it will be a huge project. To quote from the application "The Proposed Development will provide 621 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) units along with amenity spaces and ancillary uses. In addition to the PBSA uses, the Proposed Development will deliver 76 affordable residential units (shared ownership and social rent). The Proposed Development will be split across five blocks throughout the site"

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Permalink Reply by Lara on December 12, 2023 at 18:36

Thanks Alison,

I have spoken with them I hope it gets underway but mostly I hope they also consider doing something about the area in front of of the Vue as thats the most unsafe feeling area.

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Permalink Reply by Costa on December 14, 2023 at 13:38

I haven't looked at this in a while, but if memory serves

- redevelopment of the old British Home Stores site (the High Road project) was given permission in 2020 but the site is safeguarded for Crossrail 2. To proceed the owners need to ensure the design works with TFLs plans, but since then central goverment has all but pulled the plug on Crossrail 2 so I'm not sure how they will be able to do that given I assume no-one is developing them.

- Haringey's previous 2017 masterplan for Wood Green was pretty wide ranging and the council put a lot of effort into it, including plans for new street alignments, a swimming pool, encouraging rebuilding much of the high street and areas around the station etc. but it relied substantially on knocking down The Mall, the library, Morrisons etc. and being delivered under the controversial 'Haringey Development Vehicle' of the council at the time. SInce then the HDV was scrapped, the council leader resigned and the owners of The Mall have said they don't want to redevelop the site right now.

So...new plans I guess will be made, in the meantime looks like the council is focusing on development in the east of the borough and around the old gas holders and railway where it's easier to deliver. 

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Permalink Reply by Lara on December 14, 2023 at 16:09

Thanks Costa

I saw in other plans about Crossrail 2 and the chocolate factory renovations, however when I looked at the 2023 plans for some changes it showed the route as turnpike lane to ally pally not the option of going via Wood Green. At this point in time it seems like the plans are all but dropped so it seems crazy to stop investment or building work for something that will probably never happen.

I understand and support the HDV for keeping social and affordable housing but Wood Green high street is bleak. The Malls walk way over the road makes the whole area dark and doesn't allow light in and the road is so busy and polluted I can't see it ever being an attractive area and thus will always suffer from the broken window theory. Dominion Centre being scaffolded for the last 4 years doesn't help either. Every night there are gigs in ally pally bringing so many people into the area but there is nothing to keep them or make them wanting to come back the area. 

I feel personally like the council is doing very little to make it attractive for people to start businesses, so many other areas in London have managed to change peoples perception, make areas fun and exciting but get off at wood green and you see a boarded up old pubs. 

Just seems a shame that all this money is spent and it's only got worse, the new developments in the east sound interesting but I assume they will just be soulless homes with a pret.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Lindsay-Smith on December 15, 2023 at 23:20

Many shopping centres do have a major road running through them yet still manage to attract people to stroll along and visit cafes, eg Enfield Town. What is it that makes Wood Green off-putting? It may be the mix of businesses, not the walkway across the road. Your comments about that were valid at one time, but now the lower surface of the walkway is finished with lighting and white panels which reflect light back downwards. The walkway itself provides a valuable function of connecting the two upper floors of the Mall; I find myself using it nearly every time I go to Wood Green.

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Permalink Reply by Jeremyb on December 15, 2023 at 23:55

I spotted an amusing typo on the Prism site regarding the Mecca Bingo development. They refer to the ' Noel Park Conversation Area' Although we do talk a lot in Noel Park, they probably mean ' Conservation' ! I have emailed the Haringey Conservation Officer about the scaffolding on the Dominion Centre and they have replied that it is being looked into. Its ridiculous that an important Grade II* listed building has been obscured for over 4 years with no sign of any work going on.

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Permalink Reply by Lara on December 16, 2023 at 12:57

Bob Lindsay-Smith The amount of traffic on that road, the amount of rubbish is off putting but mainly I don't find the businesses very interesting, Wood Green high street mainly consists of fast food and chains - compare this to Green lanes, it also is non stop traffic but it has nice delis, bars and interesting places to pop in.

The walk way I find blocks out a lot of the sky and makes it feel boxed in, I would rather no walk way and an easier crossing

Jeremyb I'm going chase the council again

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