MD1609 Haringey Heartlands Disposal

1.1 Previous approvals relating to this matter include DD1121 seeking expenditure for site investigation works and disposal costs.

1.2 The London Development Agency (LDA) acquired the 125 year long lease of the Olympia Trading Estate (OTE) in March 2004 (now held by GLAP) to secure a land interest to facilitate the future comprehensive regeneration of the site now known as Haringey Heartlands (HH).

1.3 OTE is an industrial estate comprising five warehouse units, all tenanted on short leases contracted out of the 1954 Landlord and Tenant Act, with the exception of one unit. Further details can be found in Part 2 (reserved).

1.4 The HH project commenced in 2006 when the LDA, LBH and National Grid (NG) agreed to combine their land assets to facilitate the comprehensive regeneration of a larger 4.6 hectare (11.2 acres) site known as Haringey Heartlands.

1.5 The HH site is located approximately 600m to the southwest of Wood Green town centre, to the southeast of Alexandra Park and 200 metres north of Hornsey Railway Station, within the administrative boundary of LBH. It comprises significant areas of vacant and non-operational utilities land (including two gasholders), in addition to OTE to the north. In 2008 LBH constructed and opened a new spine road running north south through the centre of the NG land. A plan is included at Appendix 2.

1.6 The three partner land interests cover two distinct plots as follows:

• GLAP: Olympia Trading Estate long lease - 2.08 acres (0.84 ha) equating to 19% of HH site by area;
• LBH: Olympia Trading Estate freehold - 2.08 acres (0.84 ha) equating to 19% of HH site by area; and
• NG: Gasholder site freehold – 9.04 acres (3.55 ha) equating to 81% of the HH site by area.

1.7 A detailed explanation of the long lease acquisition, existing tenancy position, rental income and statutory protected tenancy relocation compensation issue can be found in part 2 (reserved).

1.8 In November 2014 NG announced their intention to form a joint venture with Berkeley Homes called St William LLP with the objective of bringing forward residential and mixed use schemes on surplus NG sites including the site at HH. This has removed the uncertainty surrounding the identity of the eventual developer of NG’s land interest and necessitated a re-evaluation of the optimum route to market for GLAP.

1.9 GLAP requires Mayoral approval to dispose of its interest to St William by way of a straightforward land disposal, subject to restrictions on the use of the site to residential. St William endorses this approach and has made an offer to GLAP for our part of the site. LBH are also supportive of this position and have cabinet approval to dispose of their freehold interest to St William.

1.10 A sale agreement has been drafted which includes a buyback option in the event of non-delivery, and a restriction on the use of the site to residential-led. The offer has been signed off by our valuation advisors as being at market value (further details in Part 2)

2.1 As endorsed by HIG GLAP intends to dispose of its interest in OTE for market value and in order that SWH can deliver homes in accordance with the planning permission and receive a capital receipt.

3.1 The GLA’s public sector equality duty has been considered in relation to this recommendation and no specific issues have been identified as a result.

a) This course of action is considered low risk as it is a straightforward disposal with appropriate measures to ensure residential delivery.

b) This disposal will accelerate the delivery of housing on site as St William have obligations regarding starting on site.

c) The site has an existing planning permission which was subject to the statutory public consultation.

See Part 2

6.1 Section 30 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (as amended) (GLA Act) gives the Mayor a general power to do anything which he considers will further one or more of the principal purposes of the GLA as set out in section 30(2) which are:
i. Promoting economic development and wealth creation in Greater London;
ii. Promoting social development in Greater London; and
iii. Promoting the improvement of the environment in Greater London

and, in formulating the proposals in respect of which a decision is sought, officers confirm they have complied with the GLA’s related statutory duties to:

• pay due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people;
• consider how the proposals will promote the improvement of health of persons in Greater London, promote the reduction of health inequalities between persons living in Greater London, contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom and contribute towards the mitigation of or adaptation to climate change in the United Kingdom; and
• consult with appropriate bodies.

6.2 Sections 1- 3 of Parts 1 and 2 of this report indicate that the decision requested of the Mayor falls within the GLA’s statutory powers.

Site Plan