This was a very unpopular prior approval application as it was seeking to build on Metropolitan Open Land. In addition to SOSN8 there was strong opposition from GMTRA, the local residents association, the Hornsey Club itself and over 50 local residents who submitted objections. The council refused the application – posted on the Haringey planning portal  on19th May 2023.

However, due to a loophole caused by a administrative technicality the previously rejected application to put up a 20m telecom tower has now been deemed to be approved.

Developers Ready To Proceed

Cornerstone on behalf of O2, are claiming that the Council failed to notify them of their decision within the 56-day time limit – they say that the notice from the Council arrived on day 57 – and that they thus have permission to proceed.  The company has already contacted the club pressing for site access.

Contacting Councillors & Planners

We have written (see letter below) to raised our concerns with our Councillors and the planning department. We want assurances that the council will take action to enforce the original rejection decision and get an explanation af how such a lapse of process could happen

Dear Councillors,
I am writing as the chair of SaveOurSpaceN8, a group of local residents who are particularly concerned with the protection of the Metropolitan Open Land of which the cricket ground forms part.
The proposals referenced above involve building a 5G telecom mast on the Hornsey cricket club field. In addition to ourselves there was strong opposition from GMTRA, t he local residents association, the Hornsey Club itself and over 50 local residents who submitted objections. The Council decision was to refuse the application and this was posted on the Haringey planning portal  on19th May 2023.
It now transpires that the developers, Cornerstone on behalf of O2, are claiming that the Council failed to notify them of their decision within the 56-day time limit – they say that the notice from the Council arrived on day 57 – and that they thus have permission to proceed.  The company has already contacted the club pressing for site access.
We are thoroughly dismayed that this proposal now has a new lease of life, apparently due to an administrative technicality.
I am contacting you as our local councillors  to  seek urgent assurances that the Council and planning department will take action to see that their decision to reject the application is enforced, and appeal for your help in getting an explanation as to how such a lapse of process could have happened.
I look forward to hearing from you
Nick Evans
Chair
SOSN8
We will keep you posted on responses