Lib Dem leader Lynne Featherstone has intervened after Haringey Council has failed for a second time to stop a developer from ‘annexing’ a piece of public land in the borough. The Lib Dems say this is a common problem and the council is repeatedly failing to act to protect this public property.

The site is the ‘pocket park’ at the junction of Bridge Road and Terrick Road, in Wood Green.An area near the electricity substation was fenced off in October last year by a developer of a new house on the site.

This was the second such encroachment on the site. An earlier incident had occurred in January 2001. On that occasion, the council seemed happy to let the land go, until Lynne Featherstone intervened on behalf of residents who asked the Lib Dem leader to take up the loss of public space.As a result, the council eventually took proceedings to reclaim the land.

In this latest development however, the council at first said they would ask the developer to move his fence back to the boundary.Now they say they have had site meetings with the developer, who claims there were construction difficulties associated with the close proximity of the substation and cables.The Lib Dems say this has as not been fully explained.

The council now says that it is offering to let the developer keep the fence, provided that a formal agreement be drawn up, the proviso being that he maintains the area around the tree in a clean condition, free of litter and rubbish, subject to six months notice in writing that the council requires the fence to be moved back.

Lynne Featherstone has written to the Haringey’s Chief Executive to say that Haringey’ behaviour must stop and that the fence should be moved back.

Lynne Featherstone comments. “This sort of situation is totally unacceptable. It sets a dangerous precedent, as we cannot allow Haringey to accept a situation that results form its own lack of action. It is a green light to all sorts of encroachers. The must stop trying to do deals, and take firm action.”