Planning permission is now being sought by the developers of an ambitious scheme, known as the Haringey Heartlands Masterplan, to regenerate and develop the area of Wood Green between Mayes Road and the Great Northern Eastern Railway (GNER).
It covers a 36 acre site, the major part of which was once occupied by the Hornsey Gas Works and Barratt’s Confectionery Works, which later became the Wood Green Industrial Estate. This area has recently become the Cultural Quarter, on account of the presence of the Chocolate Factory with its artistic and cultural enterprises and Middlesex University facilities.
The plan, based on the concept of a ‘town centre’ for Haringey, envisages a mix of housing, retail and amenity provision including a new central library complex and a ‘ town square’ in the form of a piazza. Wood Green Common, the original ‘heart’ of Wood Green, will be upgraded and remain an integral part of the scheme. Some aspects of the scheme have already been questioned – such as traffic management and the height of some buildings – and others will no doubt come to light during the public consultation process. Nevertheless, this scheme, if realised, makes use of a partly derelict area and could provide the ‘missing link’ between the Wood Green Shopping Centre and the Alexandra Palace & Park thus helping to integrate the eastern and western halves of the borough.
Image credits
Janet Owen.