Haringey Council's Cabinet has approved the demolition of properties on High Road West and the construction of 61 new council homes as part of Phase 1A of the development. The decision, made at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, greenlights the appointment of a contractor to demolish Whitehall Lodge and 2-32 Whitehall Street, and subsequently build the new homes.
The demolition of Whitehall Lodge and 2-32 Whitehall Street is anticipated to start in August 2026, with main works for the construction of the 61 new council homes commencing in October 2026. Practical completion is expected in February 2028.
These homes will comprise a mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom flats and maisonettes, all to be let at social rent. The new homes are designed to high sustainability standards, aiming for a 70% improvement over baseline building regulations. Features include passive design measures, energy-efficient equipment, and renewable energy, targeting Home Quality Mark 4* with low water usage. The landscape design incorporates rain gardens to manage surface water runoff and aims for biodiversity enhancements, utilising responsibly sourced and environmentally friendly materials.
The High Road West scheme, a partnership with Lendlease, aims to deliver over 2,500 new homes, including 546 council homes, along with community facilities and public spaces. While Lendlease is a partner in the overall scheme through a Development Agreement, Phase 1A was removed from this agreement in December 2025, enabling the Council to deliver it directly.
Phase 1A's direct delivery by the council is intended to accelerate the provision of new council housing for Love Lane Estate residents. The development will support the rehousing of more than half of the existing residents of the Love Lane Estate into permanent homes, in accordance with the commitments set out in the Love Lane Landlord Offer, which had previously been supported through a resident ballot.
Additionally, the demolition of the vacant 2-32 Whitehall Street block, which had been experiencing anti-social behaviour issues affecting the surrounding area, will address local concerns and prepare the site for future redevelopment phases. The Love Lane Estate Management Plan was also approved, with an associated budget of £1.1 million, to ensure the estate is safely managed during the redevelopment process. This plan includes provisions for site security, decommissioning, and demolition of blocks once residents have been rehoused.
The project also involves the appropriation of council-owned land for planning and subsequently housing purposes, a legal process to facilitate the development. The next steps in this legal process include the appropriation of council-owned land for planning purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972, following demolition. This appropriation will be temporary, enabling demolition, site preparation, and construction. Following this, the Council will use powers under Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to override easements and third-party rights that could impede development. Finally, the Phase 1A site will be appropriated for housing purposes under Section 19 of the Housing Act 1985 after the new homes are completed. Delegated authority is granted to the Director of Capital Projects and Property, in consultation with relevant officers and the Cabinet Member for Housing, to implement these appropriations and determine their timing.
Further details on the project can be found in the Public reports pack and Decisions from the Cabinet meeting.
