Spurs get go-ahead to drop affordable homes from new stadium plans

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Local Government

Haringey Council today confirmed Tottenham Hotspur would not be required to provide any affordable homes as part of its £400 million stadium and regeneration plan.

Under section 106 agreements, the original plans included the construction of 200 new homes – of which 100 (50 per cent) would have been affordable.

However, the revised plans approved last night relieve Spurs of the requirement to provide any affordable homes. Instead, the club has been allowed to build more than 280 flats for sale on the open market

The council says the decision takes into account the housing mix in the area, which already has a “high concentration” of social and affordable homes.

Councillor Alan Strickland, cabinet member for economic development, said: “North Tottenham already has a high concentration of social and affordable housing and we have a wider ambition to create a more mixed community with a broader mix of housing. Bringing more open market housing to the area will help achieve that ambition.”

The approved plans also mean that Tottenham Hotspur will be responsible for just £477,000 of section 106 funding towards parking and environmental improvements in the Northumberland Park vicinity – compared to a planned £16 million.

Aside from new housing, the Northumberland Development Project will see the construction of a 56,000-capacity Premier League stadium, a refurbished heritage square, new public space and improved highways and public transport.

Cllr Strickland said: “We’ve been clear all along that Spurs’ plans and commitment to invest in north Tottenham have the potential to kick-start the wider regeneration of Tottenham.

“Following last summer’s riots, the need to transform Tottenham for the benefit of everyone who lives, works and studies in the area is stronger than ever.

“I’m delighted that the planning committee unanimously backed this exciting scheme which will be pivotal to our aims of building back better for Tottenham.

“We will continue to work in partnership with Spurs, with local businesses and with the community to make sure that this fantastic scheme can be delivered.”