09.02.18
High Court backs controversial £2bn Haringey housing development
A £2bn housing scheme run by Haringey Council has been given the green light by the High Court, despite local opposition.
The Haringey Development Vehicle (HDV) was criticised by residents who said they had not been properly consulted on the decision, which was discussed in the authority’s cabinet rather than open council.
This marks the second time in recent weeks that Haringey has been embroiled in controversy after leader Claire Kober announced her decision to step down, citing issues with Labour campaign group Momentum.
However, following the High Court decision to allow the development the council has said the move will have to be delayed, with Kober’s resignation a key factor.
The decision on whether to continue the project will now be made after May’s elections, when a future administration will decide how to take the HDV forward.
Local opposition groups took the legal challenge to the High Court, but following deliberation Mr Justice Duncan Ouseley concluded that appeals against the move should be rejected “on all grounds.”
“We welcome the court’s findings which very clearly state that permission to proceed with the claim for judicial review is refused on all grounds,” a council statement said.
“Following the decision taken by cabinet in July 2017, establishing the HDV remains the council’s agreed approach to providing much needed homes and jobs on its own land.”
The statement went on to explain the decision to delay further work on the HDV, but maintained that it would still pursue the issue in future.
Development would involve placing £2bn of public assets into a private fund and has been criticised by both the left-wing of the Labour Party and local Liberal Democrat councillors as a move towards privatisation.
In its defence, the council has said the HDV would enable the construction of 6,400 new homes and create thousands of new jobs.
Campaigners say they will appeal the High Court decision despite the council delaying further consideration of the plans.
Top image: Yui Mok
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