Haringey Council and the TUC must work with the local community to keep learningat the heart of the former TUC building says local Lib Dem councillor and Regeneration Spokesperson David Winskill.

Cllr Winskill believes that the site, which was previously the HornseyCollege of Art, should retain education as its main function – and that itwould be an ideal opportunity to meet the need for a new local primaryschool. Cllr Winskill says that local residents are rightly concerned thatthe site could be sold for housing development, increasing pressure onCrouch End’s infrastructure and worsening the school places crisis.

“The TUC National Education Centre has been a great asset to our communityfor over forty years, offering first-class training and serving as a focalpoint for community group meetings,” explains Cllr Winskill. “It is sad thatthe TUC are ending their association with Crouch End after all these years -but when things like this happen we must look for the opportunities theypresent.”

“The need for a primary school in the area is well known, and this would bea fitting new use for a site which has already contributed so much tolearning in our borough,” says Cllr Winskill, who has written to BrendanBarber, General Secretary of the TUC, to urge him to do all he can tosupport proposals for a school.

“The TUC has a good track record in the area and I hope they will resistthe temptation to ‘cash in’ on the development potential of the site andinstead look to the great potential for a positive lasting legacy in thearea.”

Cllr Winskill is urging the TUC and Haringey Council to work as closely as possibleto develop plans, particularly as suitable sites for vital community developments suchas schools only rarely become available.