Campaigners pursue judicial review of proposals for former town hall

Their crowd funding page shows £2,220 raised towards a £20,000 target.

A statement from Hornsey Town Hall Community Interest Company - which opposes the council’s deal with developer Far East Consortium (FEC) - said it raised the £2,000 in just 33 hours, which was sufficient to pay for legal advice to determine whether to go to judicial review. 

It said: “We have lawyers - Leigh Day - who have offered their services on a no win, no fee basis. They have told us that we have to get expert advice from independent barristers to test whether our case is strong enough to take to the High Court.”

At least a further £16,000 would be needed were the case to proceed.

The group argues that the bid with which FEC won the council’s backing had “changed beyond recognition by the time that they applied for planning permission, this should invalidate the procurement (sale) process, so we want this tested in the courts”. 

Campaigners want the building kept in public ownership with affordable workspace for small businesses and new homes built that respect the nearby conservation area instead of the two proposed towers.

They said Haringey had struck a poor deal as FEC would make £27m in profit while the council would receive only £3.5m.

Haringey did not respond to a request for comment.

A council guide issued last year said the deal with FEC would provide new arts centre, complete restoration of the ageing building - which is on the national Buildings at Risk register - and bring a hotel and new homes.