Councillor Sarah Williams, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, approved the appointment of a contractor to build two new council homes on the corner of Dawlish and Scales Roads, N17 9HP. The decision also included the use of council powers to override third-party rights and the contract sum for the development.

Dawlish & Scales Road Development

The primary focus of the meeting was the approval of the contractor for the construction of two new detached council homes on the corner of Dawlish Road and Scales Road, N17 9HP. These homes will comprise one three-bedroom, five-person house and one two-bedroom, three-person house.

Councillor Williams approved the appointment of Contractor A to enter into a JCT Design and Build 2016 Contract with Haringey Council. This decision aligns with the Council's Standing Orders (CSO) 2.01.1C and its Statement of Principles 0.08. The contract sum, detailed in an exempt report, was also approved.

Furthermore, the Cabinet Member authorised the use of the Council's powers under Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016. This legislation allows the Council to override easements and other third-party rights and interests that may be infringed upon by the development. Authority was delegated to the Delivery Director to make compensation payments for any genuine claims arising from these infringements, following consultation with the Director of Finance & Resources and Councillor Williams.

The meeting also approved the issuance of a letter of intent, as permitted by CSO 16.04, to allow work to commence before the formal contract is fully executed. Contingencies and on-costs associated with the scheme were also approved.

The decision to proceed with the development supports the Council's commitment to building 3,000 new high-quality council homes by 2031, a key outcome in the Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-36. The site was initially approved for inclusion in the Council's Housing Delivery Programme in January 2020, and planning permission for the two houses was granted in March 2023 under planning reference HGY/2022/2000.

The report highlighted that the development is designed to be environmentally sustainable, aiming for low energy consumption and zero carbon emissions where possible, in line with Haringey's Climate Change Action Plan (HCCAP) 2041 target. The proposed homes will achieve a 101% reduction in emissions compared to Building Regulations Part L (2013), meeting the 'zero carbon' policy requirement for regulated operational energy. The Energy Strategy follows the GLA Energy Hierarchy, incorporating high levels of insulation, waste-water heat recovery, natural ventilation, air source heat pumps, and photovoltaic panels. The scheme is also car-free, with secure cycle storage provided.

The procurement process involved an invitation to tender in April 2025, with submissions assessed on quality (60%), price (30%), and social value (10%). Contractor A achieved the highest score of 92.2 out of 100, making it the Most Economically Advantageous Tender. The report noted that alternative procurement routes were considered but not recommended by the Strategic Procurement Team as they would not have provided the best value.

The development is expected to have a positive impact on individuals with protected characteristics, including women, young people, BAME communities, individuals with disabilities, and those who identify as LGBT+, who are often overrepresented in temporary accommodation and homeless households. The community engagement period for the project ran from 21 February 2022 to 18 March 2022, with opportunities for feedback provided online and through in-person events.