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Notes from the tour of 100 Tower Gardens Road

Minutes

Several residents inspected the building at 100 Tower Gardens Road on Friday 13 December. It was in a better state than we were expecting; the ground floor in particular has a large room looking onto the (slightly unloved) garden which would be a great space for small gatherings. 

Haringey haven’t decided what they’ll use the property for. They are considering turning it into temporary accommodation and/or hostel accommodation for people who are homeless, however they may conclude the building isn’t suitable for housing people. Haringey are in the process of arranging a feasibility study. 

They would be open in principle to the building being used as a community centre if it can’t be used for accommodation. Haringey would like to see a business case for the community centre and would be happy to look at a business case while the feasibility study is ongoing. A group of residents are going to think about putting a business plan together.

Interested in the future of the building at 100 Tower Gardens Road?

Email: towergardensrg@gmail.com

Notes from meeting on 16 December 24

Minutes

We had a TGRG meeting on Monday 16 December to discuss Haringey’s Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) site proposals. Please see some notes from the meeting below. 

  • Liam Carroll (Councillor for White Hart Lane ward) described the three sites (Roundway, Clyde Road and Brookside Green). He said that Haringey has a forum with the GRT community who have long been asking for additional pitches. Demand for pitches outstrips supply. 
  • The council currently pays lots of money to provide temporary accommodation to members of the GRT community who would rather live in pitches. Providing pitches would mean those residents paying rent to Haringey, rather than Haringey paying for temporary accommodation.
  • Liam recognised that the three sites are close together. The reason why they are all in the east of Haringey is that the council doesn’t own as much land in the west of the borough. And Haringey can only build the pitches on land it owns.   
  • It’s been determined that neither the Brookside Green nor Haringey sites would be suitable for bricks and mortar housing.  
  • Attendees asked about the other sites which were considered before Brookside, Roundway and Clyde Road were chosen. A freedom of information request has been lodged to find out why the other sites were discarded. Liam said that he didn’t think the FOI would succeed as he has been told that information about the other sites is commercially sensitive. 
  • Attendees pointed out that the three sites are all in the poorest part of the borough, in wards with lower voting rates and where people are less likely to stand up to challenge council proposals. It is unfair that all three sites should be clustered around an already deprived part of Haringey where services are already stretched. 
  • In terms of timescales, Liam said it’s unlikely construction would start before 2026. But the project hasn’t been confirmed yet. The council needs to consider the consultation responses and would then have to carry out a survey of the sites, get planning permission etc.   

Minutes of the Tower Gardens Residents Group – 10 June

Minutes

Cllr Ahmed Mahbub from Haringey attended the meeting.

100 Tower Gardens Road
As you may be aware we have recently been told that this building can potentially be used as a community centre.
Cllr Mahbub explained that he has recently learned the building is in a bad state of disrepair, so it will be a long time before it’s in a condition appropriate for use by the community.
It may therefore be sensible in parallel to look for other buildings that could potentially be used for the centre.
Next steps: Cllr Mahbub will provide a timeline for Haringay’s mapping exercise which will consider all the council’s buildings and whether they can be better utilised. Cllr Mahbub will also arrange a time for people to visit 100 Tower Gardens Road.

Estate maintenance
The issue of people ignoring conservation area requirements when renovating was discussed. It was noted that Haringey does not take enforcement action against those who breach requirements, and that ultimately if those rules continue to be breached the estate will lose its unique character (and possibly its status as a conservation area).
Cllr Mahmud said that he could arrange for Haringey’s estate manager for Tower Gardens to attend a future TGRG meeting.
Hedge maintenance was discussed. Attendees thought it would be a good idea for the council to provide free green waste collections twice a year so that people can trim their hedges and dispose of the waste without having to pay for a green bin.
It was noted that there should be more notice boards around the estate so that local events and groups could be advertised and communicated to residents quickly. There should also be a digital noticeboard, which could serve as a source of information for new residents keen to learn about local networks, events and history.
Next steps: Cllr Mahbub to arrange meeting with TG estate manager, and TGRG to let councillors know where noticeboards should be erected.
Antisocial behaviour
Attendees observed that lime bikes are often left in the middle of pavements which can cause particular issues for people with disabilities, or people on mobility scooters or pushing prams.
It was noted that a resident had their tires slashed. Cllr Mahbub mentioned that there will be a meeting between the Met Police and White Hart Lane residents shortly at which these issues can be raised.
Next steps: Cllr Mahbub to provide details of meeting between WHL and Met Police.

Minutes of the TGRG meeting on 13 November 2023

Minutes

Attendees: Friedrich, Fiona, Kim, Tanya, Kim, Valeria, Daniel
Councillor attending: Liam Carroll
Harringay representative: Brian Ellick

Introductions

Attendees introduced themselves. Despite Veolia having confirmed they would send someone to the meeting, nobody from Veolia attended. [It has since been confirmed that the person due to attend forgot to come. She has offered to attend another TGRG meeting.]
Brian Ellick, Head of Anti-social Behaviour and Enforcement at Haringey attended the meeting and took questions throughout. Brian said he would speak to his contacts at Veolia about why nobody from Veolia had attended.

Dumping

The problem of dumping outside 57 Gospatrick Road was discussed. Friedrich explained that since he had spoken to the dumpers, the problem hadn’t recurred. On that basis Brian said for the moment he wouldn’t take any further steps.
Other dumping hotspots in Tower Gardens were discussed, including 100 Tower Gardens and Turnant Road. Brian said he was familiar with the issues at Turnant Road.

Reporting dumping to Haringey

Brian explained how Haringey decides which areas to prioritise when it comes to policing fly-tipping. He said that the more issues are reported, whether online or via the ‘love clean streets’ app, the more resources will be directed to the area. So it is important to report instances of dumping to Haringey.
Brian explained that what is particularly valuable for his team is evidence showing that specific people have dumped in the same place on several occasions. If residents have this kind of information the best way to report it is by email to flytippingevidence@haringey.gov.uk.

Burning rubbish

The issue of burning rubbish was discussed. Brian explained that there are no laws against burning rubbish per se, but if burning causes a nuisance to neighbours, Haringey can get involved. Burning may cause a nuisance due to the smell, amount of smoke etc. Burning should not be allowed to affect neighbours’ enjoyment of their own properties.
Issues around the burning of rubbish can be reported on the Haringey website.

Rubbish collection

Issues around rubbish collection were discussed. Specifically, people complained that some residents keep their bins on pavements instead of in their front gardens.
Rubbish collectors also tend to leave the bins in the middle of the pavement, often with the lids open, so that if it rains they fill with water.
Brian said that issues to do with bins and rubbish collection should be raised directly with Veolia.

Autumn leaves

The fact that leaves are not being collected from some streets was discussed. On other streets, leaves are only cleared from one side of the road.

Next meeting

To be confirmed. Likely to be in the first few months of the new year.

Kind regards

Tower Gardens Residents Group

Minutes of the Tower Gardens Residents Group Meeting

Minutes

16th October 2023

Venue: Chad Gordon Autism Campus, Waltheof Gardens

Present: Kim, Tanya, Pedros, Karen, Mary, Matthew, Fiona, Friedrich, Angie, Dan, Dayall, Collette, Kate, Owen.
Councillors attending: Anne Stennett, Liam Carroll
Apologies: apologies were received from several residents.

1) Welcome and introduction

2) Discharge of the Committee (including Treasurer’s Report) and election of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer

Karen Loasby (Treasurer, retiring) gave a financial summary. The bank balance at the start of the year was £1641 and at the end of the year it was £1513. The £128 expended has covered meeting room fees, bulbs for planting in public areas, and other expenses.

Fiona Stevenson was re-elected as Chair
Friedrich Ernst was elected as Treasurer
Dan Zwi was elected as Secretary

All votes were unanimous and thanks were given to the committee volunteers.

3) Minutes of last meeting

Matthew Bradby (Secretary, retiring) gave a verbal summary of the Minutes of the last meeting held on 14 June 2023. Karen volunteered to upload these to the Tower Gardens website – https://www.towergardens.org.uk/

4) Matters arising (unfinished business) –
Community Picnic in Tower Gardens was very successful, good partnership with IntoUniversity that lease the building from the Council. Public liability insurance for the park lasts until May 2024.
Spring bulb planting – this is planned for 10 am on 18 November, meet at the Waltheof Gardens roundabout.

Additional subjects raised by resident Ruth by email are listed below.

5) 100 Tower Gardens Road and Citizens Advice Bureau building
100 TG Road – the first floor is rented from the Council by the charity SureStart. The ground floor is vacant.
Citizens Advice Bureau (temporary building on Waltheof Gardens) – the ground around this is now in a dangerous condition.

The Council are undertaking a formal review of their local property portfolio. The meeting suggested that the Council review should be strategic and take most appropriate uses into account. There is a need for local retired people to have a place to meet and socialise.

6) Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – there was a lively discussion about the value of these in Haringey.

  1. AOB

Kate asked if people were welcoming trick or treat visits on Hallowe’en – it is hoped to produce a Google Map for residents.

Crossovers – parking in front gardens in Gospatrick Road – e.g. number 6 and various house numbers between 40-50 near the Roundway. The Council has written to at least one property asking them to desist. Residents feel strongly that front garden parking is very negative for the area and more should be done to stop this occurring.

Issues raised on emails from residents, which were briefly discussed:

Update from Friends of Park re Park Entrance works. Awaiting planning document re planting.
Update from Open House. Successful day. A local resident whom is also an architect provided a guided walk.
Update re drugs users in the estate area. Some properties are known to the police and attracting similar persons to the estate.
Dumping – ongoing issues. Unclear what deterrents other than fines
Update from neighbourhood management requested re status on Veolia re green area maintenance and weeds on streets.
Council update re structural concerns due to lack of maintenance: 1 housing property in Risley Avenue, wall surrounding park, Rear of Rose Supermarket.

Next Meeting

It is planned to hold this in the week of 13 November, focused on fly tipping. Veolia to be invited, perhaps combined with a walkabout on the estate to visit hotspots/residents.

Minutes of the Tower Gardens Residents Group Tuesday 14th June 2023

Minutes

Tuesday 14th June 2023 7 pm Larkspur Close Meeting Room  

Attended by residents, elected committee, and Cllr Ahmed Mahbub
Present: Stephen, Anna, Jace, Colleen, Rohilla, Tanya, Miteh and Leanne, Claudia, Kate, Fiona, Matthew, Valeria, Friedrich, Ruth 

1.     Introductions  

2.     Update from police/neighbourhood watch – police are not attending residents group meetings currently in White Hart Lane, despite our efforts. If you have crime issues to raise, please let Friedrich Ernst know, as he’s attending the Ward Panel meeting on 22 June.  

3.     Update on Councillor Bull’s outstanding work. We discussed these cases, some of which have gone back 20 years. We now understand that there isn’t a separate list for these cases, and no central record of them. There was no handover so all these issues must be raised again/anew in the hope that there is a record of them with LBH staff members/teams.  

4.     Update from Ward Councillor Cllr Ahmed Mahbub Cllr Walkabout – there was a walkabout last week to look at specific instances including subsiding buildings, hedges, fly tipping.  

5.     Privet hedges – these are out of control in many cases and the council is working on a strategy to deal with this, for aesthetic and crime control, safety and pedestrian reasons.  

6.     Parking on public green space – this continues to be a problem particularly at the public green at the corner of Henningham Road and Waltheof Ave. New railings/posts would prevent this.  

7.     100 Tower Gardens Road – this is not being leased by the Council but it appears to have occupants who may be squatters. The building should be brought back into public use for LBH and the local community.  

8.     WEE – the Council will soon start free collections of waste electrical equipment (WEE). Further info to follow.  

9.     Dumping and update on camera request for Turnant Road – Ruth/Cllr Stennett. There is a large burden of proof needed, in order to obtain a camera as these are in short supply. Ruth is liaising by email.  

10. Further discussion about fly tipping – view that the neighbourhood resembles a ‘pigsty’ and wondering how much it costs to collect the daily dumps on all roads in the area. Friedrich has helpfully put up a sign in Gospatrick Road and maybe more signs will help – easier than installing cameras. We need to change local culture which says dumping is alright.  

11. Potholes and pathways – Risley Avenue and Waltheof Avenue – suggested to report the potholes using the mobile phone app and log them. Action: Cllr Mahbub to update on LBH potholes plan.   

12. Pathways – the brick pathways around public green space, e.g. in Risley – these are not maintained. They must be Council property so can they look into this?  

13. Risley Avenue Park entrance – update from Ruth – this project is ongoing to rectify poor quality design and planting.  

14. Tim update – Tim arrived late at the meeting and attempted to gain admission but this was refused by the Committee. It was explained to Tim via a window that his behaviour is rude and threatening and he left. A further discussion concluded with the request that a LBH form be circulated on which any instances of anti-social behaviour are recorded, and forwarded to Chris Patterson, LBH. Action: Secretary to forward this form. They can be returned to the Secretary, or directly to Chris Patterson.  

15. Friends of Tower Gardens Park – picnic on 24th June – an excellent flyer was distributed. Please come along to the event on 24th, 12 midday to 4 pm. 

16. Open House Sunday 17th Sept – organised by Ruth – please support!  

17. Noise nuisance – discussion of a very noisy party last Sunday in Risley Avenue and other similar events that go on very late at night. Recommended to phone 101 (police non-urgent number) and report via the Council’s antisocial behaviour unit.  

18. Illegal pavement crossovers in Gospatrick Road – information was passed to Cllr Mahbub for investigation by LBH.  

19. Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – there was a lively discussion and many views were put forward about the effects of the LTNs and their implementation which was sudden and with limited prior consultation. The experiment is continuing and evaluation is taking place.  

Minutes of Tower Gardens Residents Group meeting: 14th January 2020

Minutes

TGRG 14th January 2020

Larkspur Close Meeting Room

Attending: Mary (Chair), Friedrich (Vice chair) Matthew (Sec), Tania, Thea, Chiara, Cllr Adje, Cat, Christiane, Stuart, George, Petros, Manos, Ava, Fiona, Claudia, PC Louis Pope

Apologies Cllr Stennett and Cllr Bull, Pauline Syddell

Police Update

Recent statistics were circulated by PC Pope. He showed that the TG area is not higher than other Tottenham areas. The highest Tottenham areas for crime are those near the High Road. Tottenham is overall worse for crime stats than the west of Haringey.

Drug use continues in and near Tower Gardens Park.

30 December an explosion occurred in the park due to substances being ignited.

Always report crime via phone, email or website so that statistics can be properly gathered and crime levels reported, so that we can get appropriate resources.

Leave lights on and keep hedges trimmed to reduce risk of burglaries. 

Cllr Adje

Boundary Commission – Ward boundaries in Haringey will be changing and this will affect us for the first time in the 2022 elections.

Consultation on the Council’s budget is open (until 19th Jan).

555 White Hart Lane – Council is working with the company Segro PLC to ensure high quality new commercial development

White Hart Lane/Spurs – the Council is in dispute with Spurs regarding High Road West scheme and creation of pedestrian boulevard from WHL station to the stadium

There was a long discussion about parking and about off street parking. Matthew to forward details about some unauthorised crossovers/front garden parking. Major concerns about all the events at THFC and not having enough visitor parking permits. We are still awaiting decision re future CPZ.

Please follow @haringeycouncil on Twitter – a very good way to find out what is going on locally. Also Nextdoor is a good local forum.

There have been amendments to the Conservation Area rules – all households should have received information through the post. These don’t come into effect until year end.

Other issues

Friends of Tower Gardens Park – are there any volunteers who would like to help with this? Please contact Matthew or Karen. In the past year we have made a big difference. BIG thanks to Zoe Fudge for organisation and wishing her well in the future.

Tree planting – more trees are coming we hope – info forwarded separately.

There is severe flooding at the junction of the Roundway and Waltheof Gardens.

Speeding on the Roundway – this is a disgrace and all residents are fed up with it. People live in fear of crossing the road and also the junction at Lordship Lane. New cameras are being installed on the A10 but we need more traffic calming. TFL have apparently said that our roads are not dangerous enough for more works, but we regularly see people racing cars and bikes at all times of day and night.

Dates of future meetings

There was a discussion about this and it was decided to try and meet every TWO months. The next meeting was agreed for Tuesday 10th March. The meeting after that will probably be Tuesday 12th May.

Minutes of Tower Gardens Residents Group meeting: 5th March 2019

Minutes

Present: Friedrich, Matthew, Thea, Stuart, Colette, Karen, Claudia, Ruth, Grace, Jo, Cllr Stennett and Cllr Adje

Apologies: Mary, Fiona, Cllr Bull, Zoe, Cllr Say.

Venue: Larkspur Close 7 pm

The meeting wished Mary, Fiona and Cllr Bull a full and swift recovery from recent accidents and ills.

  • Crime Update (provided by Met Police)

Signage in the park regarding CCTV – a meeting happened with Ian Kershaw on 2nd March about this.

Car break ins – a number of these were discussed. Someone also observed a person stashing a plasma screen TV in TG park.

Residents are encouraged to report all suspected crime.

  • Litter and Fly Tipping

This continues to be bad, though positive impact made thanks to Tidy Up Tottenham initiative on social media. If you see this happening try to remember number plates though do not confront people due to risk of personal injury.

  • Park Tidy Up 30th March – Friends of TG Park

£500 ward funding has been applied for the park. A new FB group for the Friends has been set up. Zoe also plans to leaflet around the park for those not on email groups.

  • Trees

We are paying the Council tree dept the £1500 we owe them for six trees planted on the Roundway, which are doing well. Council tree officer Alex Fraser has also said that Council will plant a tree on Waltheof Green in memory of Dick Tomlinson. Matthew also brought forward idea to plant some small trees in public green spaces without council funding.

  • Gates, Potholes, Skips

Reports have been made about these, please keep reporting problems via the Haringey App.

  • CPZs

Data is still being collated for the TG CPZ proposal, to replace the event day CPZ. We discussed the problem of vans and light trucks being parked on the estate – CPZ may reduce this.

Major concerns were voiced about the new Event Days starting at THFC as they are not all on the football club website – i.e. they are not all football league games. Residents demand that there be proper signage on all roads to stop people being caught out. The first event is on 24 March.

  • Low Flying Aircraft

There are concerns that they are polluting our air space. There are more aircraft flying over our area than previously. Especially the mournful sound of jumbo jets coming in to land first thing in the morning.

  • Crossing on Lordship Lane/Roundway jct

Despite years of negotiation, TFL have said that this crossing is not a priority. Residents are very disappointed that they have to run the gauntlet on a regular basis to get to the church, shops, park or tube station. The Council have been supportive but at the moment people are at risk and accidents are happening. What can be done? The impression is that TFL do not care about people living in low income areas. Perhaps this can be raised as part of the Council’s equality/fairness work.

Date of Next Meeting

TUESDAY 14th MAY

Minutes of Tower Gardens Residents Group meeting: 16 October 2018

Minutes

Present: Mary, Matthew, Friedrich, Claudia, Chris, Anna, Thea, Stuart, Ruth

Cllr Bull, Cllr Stennett

Pauline and Louis (Met Police)

Apologies: Zoe and Karen

MINUTES

Crime

Tower Gardens Park – discussion around policing, council and voluntary action to deter rough sleeping in the park. Up to seven people are known to be sleeping there at the present time, with problems including an aggressive dog, fires, litter and human waste. The meeting agreed that this situation is awful. The homeless people have been offered alternative accommodation by charity Homeless Link but have apparently declined.

Litter Pick – Saturday 27th October at 10 am Tower Gardens Park, Risley Ave entrance – Please Join Us!

Burglaries – four of the five known burglars are behind bars. There is a new service from a company called www.ring.com where you can connect a doorbell to your phone, so that you can answer it from any location.

Bins and Dumping – this is a huge problem – Gideon said the Labour Group in the Council knows it must work harder on this. There is a meeting for Neighbourhood Watch members on this issue, 1 November, 7pm at the Civic Centre in Wood Green. Please attend if you can. There is also a new Facebook group called Tidy Up Tottenham – please join and share pics. Also – please use the mobile phone app to report fly tipping, littering etc. Drugs caravans – there are various reports of different caravans in the area where people may live and engage in illegal activity. People should note details especially exact location to send to the Council — Enforcement Officer details below.
Conservation Officer

There is a new conservation officer called Elisabetta Tonazzi. Matthew has met her and will speak to her about the estate when he can.

Houses of Multiple Occupation

If you know any of these that you think are unauthorised, please pass specific information (i.e. address) on to the residents’ group or the Council.

Open House

Ruth reported this was a success despite the rain and over £100 was raised for charity.

Parking in Front Gardens

This is a big problem and will get worse once the football stadium is built. Please report to the Council. Enforcement officer is
Allison.Pibworth@haringey.gov.uk

Aeroplanes

Some residents have noticed increased numbers of planes over the estate including light aircraft. Gideon may be able to find out more, or suggested contact our MP David Lammy.

Dick Tomlinson – Memorial Tree

It was agreed to plant a tree on the estate in memory of Dick, the much respected late local resident and arboricultural officer who passed away recently. Matthew suggested a space near the roundabout at the top of Waltheof Ave. Matthew to contact Council tree dept to discuss. This is in addition to any other trees in Dick’s memory elsewhere in the borough.

Minutes of Tower Gardens Residents Group meeting: 24 July 2018

Minutes

Tower Gardens Residents Group

Meeting 24 July 2018 at Larkspur Close Meeting Room.

Present: Mary (Chair) Friedrich (vice chair) Matthew (sec), Fiona, Larbi, Collette, Dick, John Brown, Stuart, Thea, Grace, Karen, Ruth, Claudette.
Police: Lucy, Hassan, Simon, Pauline
Cllr Gideon Bull

Summary of Matters Discussed: 

Condition of estate – concerns raised about overhanging trees, and other areas of neglect. Dick said that tree works were coming soon.

Crime – five known burglars are operating in the area and police are monitoring their activities. Action is also being taken against drug dealers on the estate. Dealers are known to police.
There are also problems with bikes being raced down Risley Avenue.
The unmarked caravan parked on Risley Ave has recently moved but there are concerns it is a centre for antisocial behaviour of various kinds.
If anyone would like to find out more about the ‘Smartwater’ please contact Pauline.

Waltheof Gardens – there are no plans to build houses or flats here. There is not enough space. There may be proposals to build new higher quality social/health facilities to replace the existing 4 buildings.

Notice boards on the estate – these have been vandalised beyond repair and the meeting believes they should be replaced.

Conservation issues – the breezeblock extension on Risley Ave jct with Siward Road is awful. The Council has refused retrospective consent as the building does not meet any standards.

2A Risley Avenue – this is an eyesore and cars are parked in the front garden.

Littering and fly tipping continues to be a problem, and there are persistent problems regarding the bins on Lordship Lane that have never been resolved. Re: Homes for Haringey properties.

Tower Gardens Park – Zoe has been instrumental in getting a new friends group together. A friends group is really useful as it can bid for funds. There is now a Facebook page. 

Trees – Matthew has received a street tree pack to help us celebrate the trees on the estate.
Dick has been working with youth centres to help raise tree seeds for future plantings. Important to help increase ecological and amenity value.

Website – Larbi Ernst is liaising with Karen about updating the site.

Open House – this will take place on Sunday 23 September

Date of Next Meeting – Tuesday 11 September

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