Haringey Council leader Claire Kober will step down at the local elections in May, throwing into doubt the future of the council’s joint venture with Lendlease.
Kober has said she will not sign off the Haringey Development Vehicle and will leave the decision to the next leader. This is highly likely to kill off the £2bn project to develop more than 6,000 homes in the borough.
There had been a view that the agreement could be signed before May, although with an outstanding judicial review it was not possible.
Kober said in a statement: “More than anything, the last 10 years has shown me the difference that good political leadership can make.
“Effective leadership, in politics as in many other areas, starts by facing the future, framing its challenges and building a consensus around them, and creating the partnerships that can meet them…
“…This is not always a popular or easy path to take but I believe in facing up to difficult decisions rather than retreating to a position that feels safer or more comfortable.”
She had been leader of the council since 2008, but has received significant opposition recently from the Momentum group.
Lendlease is still the preferred bidder for the HDV, and could still be chosen to bring it forward. It is also still involved in the redevelopment of the High Road West Estate, next to Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium, which is a separate agreement.
A spokesperson said: “We respect the decision announced by Haringey’s leader Claire Kober.
“Lendlease remains committed to the people of Haringey and helping deliver the new homes, infrastructure and community facilities that everyone agrees are much needed. We stand ready to discuss further the best potential way to do this.
“Meanwhile our work on the High Road West scheme in north Tottenham continues, which will deliver more than 2,500 new homes for local people.”
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