Labour shenanigans over chairing the Planning Sub-Committee could cost Haringey taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds through breaking the Council’s constitution and potentially exposing the decision to costly legal challenge, it was discovered yesterday.

The committee gave the go ahead for the controversial Cecile Park ‘backlands’ in Crouch End in the face of strong opposition from residents, councillors and local MP Lynne Featherstone. The development will see a number of houses crammed into the space behind a large number of existing homes.

Nevertheless, the whole decision is now open to legal challenge at taxpayers’ expense. In what is supposed to be a politically neutral body, Labour chair of the committee Cllr. Sheila Peacock on leaving the meeting simply ‘ordained’ another Labour councillor as chair rather than letting the committee decide for itself as set out in the Council’s constitution (Part E.8 Section 33, subsection 3). Cllr. Peacock was forced to step out of the meeting because of a connection with the developers. The Deputy Chair was absent for the same reason.

Lynne Featherstone MP has written and spoken to the Chief Executive urging her to suspend the issuing of permission certificates and let the committee reconsider the matter.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“I am simply aghast at the blatant disregard Labour has for the rules and the people of Haringey.They think no-one will notice if they run the Council like their own private club, even when the taxpayer has to cough up when they make a mistake.

“This matter should be referred back to planning committee for proper procedure to be carried out. They cannot simply tread on the wishes of residents.”