Seven Sisters Market saved as demolition 'may damage race relations'

Campaigners fighting plans to demolish a local market for "yuppie flats" and a shopping complex have won a landmark legal victory after a judge ruled that race relations might be damaged.

Haringey council had given permission to a developer to knock down an indoor market, shops and homes at Wards Corner, above Seven Sisters Tube station, to build flats and shops.

Opponents warned that the scheme would see the disappearance of the market's Latin American stalls and affect hundreds of black and ethnic minority residents who work and live there.

Their claims have now been backed by the Court of Appeal after judges decided that the council had broken the law by failing to consider the scheme's impact upon different racial groups and the relations between them.

Giving the judgment, Lord Justice Pill said: "On the material before the council, there was sufficient potential impact on equality of opportunity between persons of different racial groups, and on good relations between such groups, to require that the impact of the decision on those aspects of social and economic life be considered. I would allow the appeal and quash the permission."

The ruling follows an appeal by a local resident, Janet Harris, who argued that the council had breached a Race Relations Act provision that requires public authorities to have "due regard" to the need to promote equal opportunities and good race relations when taking decisions.

Ms Harris said she was "delighted" with the ruling and said she hoped it would save Wards Corner and protect an important part of local culture in Tottenham from being swept away by developers.

She added: "Developments of this kind erode the social fabric of communities like mine in Tottenham. If they are not checked, people will eventually look around and wonder why the place where they live is no longer special and vibrant."

John Halford, a partner with Bindmans law firm, which represents the campaigners, said that Haringey had "flagrantly" breached its legal duty to consider race relations and equal opportunities.

He added: "The council's attitude towards the local community was quite scandalous.
"This ruling sends the clearest signal that, however persuasive a wealthy developer may be, its voice must not drown out those of local people."

The council said it would now assess how best to regenerate Seven Sisters in light of the ruling.