Residents and local councillors are concerned over plans to convert disused Southgate Police Station into a 65-room hostel

Southgate Police Station (credit Google)

Plans to convert a disused former police station in Southgate into a 65-room hostel have prompted local concerns over anti-social behaviour and the impact on the local economy.

Developer Log Creation Ltd submitted plans last month to convert Southgate Police Station in Chase Side into a hostel, which it states will create a “vibrant and sustainable space”.

But Conservative ward councillors in Southgate are objecting to the scheme over concerns about lost office space and the impact on antisocial behaviour in the area.

The site has not been in use a police station for a decade after being closed down during a wave of closures across the capital under former London mayor Boris Johnson.

A different developer attempted last year to win permission under ‘permitted development’ rights to convert the building into 17 flats, but this was rejected by Enfield Council.

Log Creation Ltd states in its plans for the site that the project “heralds an exciting transformation of the former Southgate Police Station into a dynamic hub of hospitality and community engagement”.

It adds: “This ambitious endeavour seeks to breathe new life into the historic structure while paying homage to its architectural heritage. With a vision to create a vibrant and sustainable space, the project embodies a harmonious blend of preservation and modernisation, poised to invigorate the local area and enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike.”

The external structure of the building is not set to be changed but the scheme does involve “refurbishing and internally altering the existing building [and] upgrading interior spaces to accommodate modern amenities”.

But Southgate councillor Stephanos Ioannou has raised a number of concerns. In his response to the consultation on the plans, he says: “From a community perspective we are disappointed with the decision that was then made to discontinue the former police station. However, we realise that it is privately owned and we have to make do and make sure that any future applications made are beneficial to the cohesion and community in Southgate.

“The reduced office space will impact the local economy, whether it be coffee shops or retail shops that thrive off people that shop during their lunch times and before or after work hours. The former police station did have office space on the first, second and third floor, and this added to the beneficial mix of use of buildings in the area.

“This application will also negatively impact community safety around Southgate as the people that will be temporarily accommodated in the building could bring a broad spectrum of issues; robbery, physical assaults, car break ins, antisocial behaviour and loitering. In an area where already the police station has been discontinued and the only police station is in Edmonton, this adds to the concerns of the local community when they say that crime will almost certainly go up.”

Cllr Ioannou adds: “Overall, it is entirely fair and logical to say in that this application does not add to the viability of Southgate town centre and will put the area on a faster trajectory of the downward slope that it is already on.”

Regarding concerns over antisocial behaviour, Log Creation Ltd state: “Given the former police station’s operation 24 hours a day, the proposed conversion to a 65-room hotel is not expected to introduce any additional disturbances in terms of noise, thus maintaining the existing level of amenity for nearby residents and businesses.”

Local residents have until 23rd July to comment on the plans via the council’s planning portal, using reference number 24/00732/FUL.

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