New tower blocks planned in Southgate (credit Viewpoint Estates) — The new tower blocks would be built adjacent to Southgate Circus Conservation Area (credit Viewpoint Estates)

Concerns from locals as 18-storey tower proposed next to conservation area, reports James Cracknell

Plans for 189 homes in buildings up to 18 storeys tall have been proposed for Southgate town centre.

Viewpoint Estates wants to redevelop Southgate Office Village in Chase Road, which lies adjacent to Southgate Circus Conservation Area.

The site is currently occupied by more than 30 local businesses but the plans include a new “modern business hub” that will accommodate the existing firms as well as provide “co-working space and opportunities for local business start-ups”.

Three residential towers of between six and 18 storeys are proposed, plus a new public space between Chase Road and Park Road leading to the footbridge over the Piccadilly Line railway.

An exhibition was hosted by Viewpoint Estates in February to allow local people to give their views on the scheme, with a planning application due to be submitted to Enfield Council this spring. It is understood that around 25% of the new homes will be designated for ‘affordable’ shared ownership.

Jane Maggs from Southgate District Civic Trust was one of those who attended the exhibition. She told the Dispatch: “We welcome the idea of a mixed development, particularly the focus on start-ups, because we need more office space in Southgate, but there does only seem to be two floors for businesses so there’s not as much space as you might think.

“The highest tower is 18 storeys and will be completely out-of-keeping with Southgate. We are concerned about that and also the lack of light – it will create quite a shadow.”

Viewpoint Estates is a consortium of Southgate-based business people which has run Southgate Office Village for nearly ten years. The company claims eight out of ten people who filled in feedback forms at last month’s exhibition expressed support for its redevelopment plans.

Stephanos Ioannou, a Southgate ward councillor, said: “I am deeply concerned. These blocks are not only too high and don’t keep with the area’s character, but they shadow nearby roads and raise privacy concerns for all residents, businesses and schools around Southgate Circus.

“My inbox is inundated with opposition to this and I think the developers will have to go back to the drawing board.”

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