Local councillors join Wards Corner community fight

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st Apr 2008

Brian Paddick, Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate, joined local Liberal Democrat councillors last Friday to support the Wards Corner Community Coalition (WCCC) community alternative to Haringey Council's controversial development plans for Wards Corner, Seven Sisters.

WCCC, consisting of local activists, traders and residents, has submitted a plan that aims to keep the historic nature of the old Wards Corner Department store and protect the existing market. Haringey Council, working through the New Deal for Communities partnership (NDC) with developer Grainger, plans to demolish the building.

Cllr Carolyn Baker and Brian Paddick met traders throughout the market.

Cllr Carolyn Baker (Harringay) comments:

"I am angry that Haringey Council will not listen properly to local people. It is their strength of commitment to the local area that persuaded them to pay £8,000 for their own development plans to be drawn up in opposition to the Grainger plans. If the plans go ahead as proposed it will destroy people's lives and livelihoods as well as an important part of Haringey history."

Cllr John Oakes, Lib Dem Community Involvement spokesperson, adds:

"Haringey Council has reneged on its own development brief promise to retain the original Wards landmark for environmental reasons.

"Its draconian plans for a gated flat development will destroy scores of local businesses. Construction is not the same thing as regeneration. Haringey Council and the NDC should honour its offer to get the WCCC alternative plan independently costed, and involve the community, instead of foisting an unwanted eyesore on an ailing area."