The Cabinet Member for Housing approved the acquisition of 21 new council homes at 76 Mayes Road, Wood Green, N22 6SY. This decision will contribute to the council's pledge to build 3,000 new council homes by 2031 and will provide much-needed affordable housing for residents in need.

Acquisition of Council Homes at 76 Mayes Road, Wood Green

Councillor Tammy Hymas, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Co Deputy Leader, agreed to proceed with the acquisition of 21 newly constructed council homes located at 76 Mayes Road, Wood Green, N22 6SY. This acquisition was previously approved on 5th May 2026, but a revised approval was required due to material changes in the funding structure and financial performance of the transaction.

The decision included agreeing to enter into the Agreement for Sale with Weston Homes PLC and 21 separate leases granted from Weston Homes PLC and Caxton Square Management Company Limited to the Council. Funding for the acquisition will be partially provided by the Greater London Authority's (GLA) Council Housing Acquisition Programme (CHAP). The revised Total Scheme Cost (TSC) for the acquisition was also approved. Notably, Right to Buy receipts or funding from the Council's General Fund will not be used, and the Council Housing Revenue Account (HRA) will utilise borrowings to part-fund the purchase. The acquired homes will be let at Social Rent levels.

The primary reason for this decision is to deliver 21 additional council homes, supporting the council's commitment to build 3,000 council homes by 2031, as outlined in A New Housing Strategy for Haringey 2024-29 ¹. With 13,000 households currently on the council's housing register, these homes will offer secure, well-constructed, and affordable housing for Haringey residents in need. The acquisition aligns with the council's existing programme, increases the supply of modern, sustainable homes, reduces reliance on temporary accommodation, and is expected to deliver General Fund cost savings. The properties are situated conveniently near the amenities of Wood Green High Street and were completed to a private market specification, which is a higher standard than the council's usual specification for affordable homes.

The alternative option of not acquiring the homes was rejected as it would represent a missed opportunity to support the council's housing targets and address the borough's growing housing needs, potentially impacting the medium-term financial strategy.

The acquisition follows a previous purchase by the council of 29 affordable homes at the same development in July 2025. The council re-engaged with the developer, Weston Homes, in February 2026 regarding the acquisition of these additional 21 homes, which were originally designated for private sale. These homes comprise 14 one-bedroom, two-person units and 7 two-bedroom, four-person units. The council has confirmed that a deed of variation of the Section 106 agreement is not required to allow these homes to be let at Social Rents. The building, being nine storeys high, is classified as a higher-risk building under the Building Safety Act 2022². The developer is the Principal Accountable Person, and the building has been registered with the Building Safety Regulator.

The acquisition is in line with the council's Acquisitions and Disposal Policy, which is part of the Asset Management Plan adopted in February 2021. This policy supports the acquisition of new housing units to increase the council's stock. The transaction has been assessed against key criteria, including alignment with the Corporate Delivery Plan, a sound business case, deliverability, valuation support, affordability, legal assessment, consideration of alternatives, and risk assessment.

This acquisition contributes to the 'Homes for the Future' theme of the Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-2026, aiming to increase the number and variety of high-quality, sustainable homes in the borough and reduce reliance on temporary accommodation. The development is expected to deliver significant improvements in energy efficiency, with predicted reductions in CO2 emissions. The potential to connect to a District Energy Network has been secured, and photovoltaic (PV) panels have been installed.

Statutory officers confirmed that the scheme is included in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programme and will be managed within it. Procurement regulations exempt the acquisition of land and buildings from competitive procurement procedures, meaning no procurement-related matters prevent the approval. Legal advice confirmed the revised funding structure and the acquisition's eligibility for the 'Registered Provider' exemption for Stamp Duty and Land Tax (SDLT). The council's Building Safety Team has reviewed the building's safety documentation and found it to be satisfactory.

The decision is also considered to have a positive impact on equality, as the acquisition will increase the supply of council-rented homes, benefiting individuals in housing need, including those vulnerable to homelessness. Data suggests that women, young people, and ethnic minority backgrounds are over-represented among those in temporary accommodation, and these groups, along with LGBTQ+ individuals and disabled people, are vulnerable to homelessness. Therefore, providing good quality rented accommodation will positively impact individuals with various protected characteristics.