Residents in Palm Court and neighbouring blocks of flats in Palmerston Road, Bowes Park, scored a victory on Monday night (June 26) when Haringey Council’s Planning Committee sent development plans back for a rethink.

Dudrich Holdings were again seeking planning permission to replace a range of existing garages at the rear of Palm Court with 8 2-bedroom dwellings. Previous Haringey Planning committees had already imposed height restrictions.

But at Monday’s meeting, councillors decided that there was insufficient access for emergency and other vehicles to the new flats as the plans stood, and that large picture windows at the back of the flats would spoil people’s enjoyment of the New River – recently designated an “Ecological Corridor” after collaboration between Haringey Council and Thames Water.

Some 30 residents attended, hoping to hear two of their number express fears over access, loss of amenity and design. But they were told their statements contained “no new material”, and so could not be heard.

There was applause, however, when ward councillor John Oakes, speaking on residents’ behalf, reminded the committee that these were “legitimate concerns”.

Cllr Oakes told the committee:

“The wheels of fire engines, ambulances and refuse-lorries will have only a couple of inches’ clearance when they are called to these new houses. Residents have a right to live safely and healthily, and Haringey’s regulations provide for that. These plans do not.

“And the peace and seclusion of the New River corridor is enjoyed by hundreds of local residents who don’t have a garden of their own. I am asking that this committee does all it can to lessen the intrusion of these new buildings, by asking for a re-design of the large rear windows, and more planting.”

The committee decided to make planning permission conditional on alterations to the current access-routes and rear elevations.

Palm Court residents’ spokesperson Emma Jane Crisp said afterwards:

“I and all the residents of Palmerston Road and Bowes Park are thrilled that the Council has decided to reject this application in its present form. We were grateful that the Chair allowed Cllr Oakes to speak on our behalf.

“It was fantastic to see such show of force from all the residents attending this meeting. Planning on this site is obviously a matter that greatly concerns many local people and this has been a great example of what residents can achieve by working together.”