The multi-million pound Hornsey Town Hall development will include 11 social rented homes paid for by the developers, following robust negotiations by Haringey Council.
Developers FEC Crouch End Ltd agreed today (Wednesday 15 November) that they will cover the costs of building the homes as part of the landmark development of the Grade II* listed building in the heart of Crouch End.
The commitment also means the council will be able to invest its land receipt in building at least 15 additional affordable homes at other locations in the west of the borough – bringing the total number of affordable homes made possible by the Town Hall development to more than 25.
The pledge from FEC comes after weeks of strong negotiations and follows an earlier announcement that the Hornsey Town Hall planning application had been amended to include affordable housing.
Part of the Broadway Annexe element of the multi-million-pound restoration of the Town Hall site will be ring-fenced for the new social homes. The council will now explore how best to invest its land receipt from the sale of the site into further units on other sites.
The council has also negotiated a “review mechanism” with the developers, meaning that the viability of the scheme will be reviewed when the development is close to completion and any additional contribution negotiated at that stage will also be used to deliver even more off-site affordable housing.
Exciting proposals for the redevelopment of the Town Hall include £30million investment in restoring the Art Deco landmark – removing it from Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk’ register – and delivering a new arts centre, café and community spaces and hotel alongside a refurbished Town Hall Square designed in partnership with local residents.
Cllr Alan Strickland, Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, said:
“We’ve been pressing the developers hard to cover the costs of affordable housing as part of their plans for Hornsey Town Hall, and I’m absolutely delighted that they’ve listened.
“We’ve been clear that our priority for Hornsey Town Hall has always been to see this beautiful building brought back into long-term sustainable use for future generations to enjoy. The redevelopment proposals show how the Town Hall could once again be the beating heart of Crouch End, with a new arts centre, café and community space.
“To have affordable homes sit alongside this is a tremendous bonus. I’m delighted also that FEC’s commitment to covering the costs means we will have more money to invest in further much-needed affordable housing at other locations in the west of the borough.”
Planning proposals will come before the council’s planning committee in December.
