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Joanne McCartney AM City Hall The Queen’s Walk SE1 2AA Switchboard: 020 7983 4000 Planning Policy Minicom: 020 7983 4458 Level 6 Web: www.london.gov.uk River Park House 225 High Road Our ref: JM/YK Wood Green Date: 07 March 2014 N22 8HQ

To whom it may concern,

RE: Tottenham Area Action Plan

Thank you for opportunity to comment on the Tottenham Area Action Plan, I am responding in my capacity as Assembly Member for Enfield and Haringey.

Tottenham is a vibrant and diverse community which deserves future investment and opportunity. I welcome the commitment for future investment in the area and the future ambition for Tottenham.

In writing this however, there are risks and the planning authority must ensure that in its ambition to create mixed prosperous communities that a sufficient supply of affordable housing must be a main priority for the development. The current housing shortage is placing intense pressures on the market, with Valuation Office Agency data showing that private sector rents in Haringey increased from £1,050 to £1,200 in the year running to the end of September 2013. This is unaffordable for most households in the borough and demonstrates the need for more affordable housing to meet the housing needs of Haringey residents on low to middle incomes. While acknowledging that the Mayor’s recently revised makes it difficult to ensure that the affordable housing that will be delivered is truly affordable, the council should – and I’m sure will – seek to negotiate that rent levels will be close to or at target rent, rather than at the maximum 80% of market rent allowed under the Affordable Rent model.

Regeneration schemes have the potential to create many jobs, apprenticeships and training schemes for local people, both in the construction phase and in the longer term. It is vital that any scheme benefits those already living in the area and I trust that challenging targets will be set and delivered upon in this regard.

There is also a general understandable concern expressed by residents that the necessary infrastructure in respect of enhanced transport links, school places, healthcare, leisure etc. must be, not only promised, but secured. It is vital that Tottenham is well connected to the rest of London and beyond. The plans must enable Tottenham to harness a regional option for Crossrail 2 in the future which will bring important connectivity and growth in our area. In the short to medium term, we must ensure that there is more

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investment in the West Anglia Railway, and improvements at Tottenham Hale, White Hart Lane and Northumberland Park stations. In addition these plans should allow for greatly enhanced cycling provision, segregated where possible, and the opportunity of Tottenham as a cycle hub should be seriously considered. Moreover, Tottenham lies adjacent to the wonderful green space of the Lee Valley Regional Park and these plans must ensure that access to this green space is vastly improved.

Furthermore, I would urge you to continue to engage with local businesses who are rightly concerned over their future livelihood, and any impact caused as a result of changes to the area. Local traders will need on-going support throughout this process and the local authority must ensure that this is provided to them.

These proposals must take the existing community with it, and therefore there must be strong on-going consultation and engagement with residents. Tottenham must continue to be a hub for local people and businesses, continuing the strong sense of community that already exists.

Yours sincerely

Joanne McCartney AM Member for Enfield and Haringey

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