A protest will take place this evening against Haringey council’s regeneration plans.

Demonstrators will congregate outside the Haringey Civic Centre while councillors discuss the plans in the chamber inside.

The Haringey Development Vehicle (HDV) has divided residents and local politicians, with critics claiming it amounts to a privatisation that will leave the tenants worse off.

Under the plans Haringey Council will own 50% of the HDV, with the other half owned by private development firm Lendlease.

The council will transfer land into the control of the HDV, which will be combined with cash provided by Lendlease to allow the £2billion regeneration project to take place.

5,000 new homes will be built as part of the plans, but opponents fear the demolition of existing houses to make way for new stock. They also fear prices will rise and tenants currently living in council accommodation will be unable to return under the same terms and conditions.

18 of Haringey’s 47 councillors – 10 Labour and all eight Liberal Democrats – oppose the plans, and have signed a ‘call-in’ notice. This means a meeting will take place tonight in the Civic Centre, where councillors can air their views.

After this, the Scrutiny Panel will decide whether the final decision on the HDV will be made in cabinet, or by a meeting of the full council.

While tonight’s meeting – starting at seven o’clock – is in session, protestors will make their opposition clear outside.

No final decision will be made tonight – this is not expected until the summer – but it is the latest development in the long-running and heated battle between Haringey Council’s leaders and some of the borough’s residents.

Below you can see the full interview given by council leader Claire Kober exclusively to City News:

 

 

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