New hotel proposed for Tottenham Hale shows Haringey Council still wants Arup masterplan

I attended (Wednesday 18th) the event to learn more about the arrival of a Premier Inn hotel in 'the heart of Tottenham Hale'. The first chain hotel in Haringey the developers are claiming.

In isolation, it appears to be a reasonable addition to the area. But the images used for the information boards remind you that this is a starting piece in the Arup masterplan jigsaw for high-rise block buildings surrounding Tottenham Hale station, including the present retail park and Ashley Road. The designs on display go as far as to show you an internal courtyard behind the hotel that would be created once the triangle of similar-sized buildings has been built and existing businesses moved out of the way.

Below is the information I learnt.

The proposal is for 96 bedrooms in a four storey building. The ground floor will have a reception, back-of-house space, etc, and a bar/restaurant open to the public as well as hotel guest. Above are three levels of 32 bedrooms each. The size of the hotel is a third bigger than might be expected because of the expected demand from airport travellers and local people using the hotel to accommodate visiting family and friends.

The proposed location is on Station Road - the road at the rear of KFC to Maplin - in the site currently occupied by Image House. Image House will be demolished and a new build could be completed by Sept 2014 subject to planning approval. At this time, none of the other land between Station Rd and Hale Rd will be part of the proposed development. Long-term, the ambition is to have similar-sized buildings along these roads to eventually create an enclosed courtyard in the middle.

The design will reflect that the company want it to be recognisable as a Premier Inn. But following input from Haringey Council's designer the exterior will be of a higher quality than originally proposed. The significant alteration being the use of brick to blend in with the nearby housing stock. The Council want it to be a landmark building signalling a regeneration of the retail area near the station. They are talking to other landowners to get on-board with the plans for similar new buildings as proposed in the Arup masterplan. The height of these buildings is to create a middle level between the heights of Hale Village and the flat on Broad Lane and Monument Way.

Jobs - including managerial roles - will be filled by local people by using the application process developed for the new Sainsbury's near Spurs. So, applications via the Council.

There are vague plans to either pedestrianise Station Road or make it a shared surface. There isn't certainty on what will be the route for people walking to and from the station.

The S106 contribution isn't yet agreed, but some of it will be 'for the upkeep of Down Lane Park'.

There isn't yet any agreement about the eco features being able to achieve the carbon reduction targets set out by the Mayor of London.

The planning application is expected to be submitted in January 2014.