Haringey Council has said it will take "further action" over a developer's building breaches - but not what form this might take.

Mead Building Contractors (MBC) has started work building seven mews houses for developer Sean Meadows in Townsend Yard, Highgate, beginning 'piling' work for foundations near the adjoining 17th century Shepherd's Cottage last week.

Opponents of the scheme have complained repeatedly about breaches of planning conditions including vehicles entering and leaving the site wrongly and work outside agreed hours.

London Fire Brigade also raised concerns about lack of safe access to the cottage, and others have warned it is a "tinderbox".

Jane Hill, who owns Shepherd's Cottage, says contraventions are continuing - and that she was not told about a meeting between the developer, London Fire Brigade and the council.

She added: "It's news to me that Haringey is meeting with LFB. It is fundamental to what happens to me and what happens to the cottage if building goes ahead so I don't know why I haven't been told about it.

Ham & High: Jane Hill and William Britain at the Highgate High Street entrance to Shepherd's Cottage which is inaccessible for fire crews which use Townsend Yard, currently being built onJane Hill and William Britain at the Highgate High Street entrance to Shepherd's Cottage which is inaccessible for fire crews which use Townsend Yard, currently being built on (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

"The LFB has already said the planned development is absolutely not safe. The Highgate Society has provided three alternate designs to the council which would provide a safe opening but nothing's been achieved.

"The lack of communication and lack of respect for a neighbour is appalling."

Some have questioned whether construction should be going ahead at all.

Campaigners have unearthed an email sent by Cllr Dana Carlin, Haringey's lead member for planning, on December 3 last year, to Ms Hill.

In it, she wrote: “The wider implications are not in doubt. 

"I am told the site does not yet have building control sign off - the developer may prepare the ground but cannot proceed with the build until that is in place.

"As I said previously, officers are keeping a close eye.”

Peter Cassidy, a member of the Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee, said: "Despite the assurance of Cllr Carlin, the council allowed the piling works to continue.  

"The piling is a building activity, not work to 'prepare the ground'. 

"The council has the power to revoke the planning permission. The risk of death, personal injury and property damage was brought the council’s attention as long ago as February 2022.  

"The fact that it has still not done the right thing is not only unfathomable, but also it is unforgiveable."

A Haringey Council spokesperson said: “We will be attending another meeting with the developer and the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to review the situation and address the concerns.

“We are continuing to closely monitor the works with regular site visits.  

"We recently issued a formal warning to the developer for construction traffic breaching the conditions of the planning permission and have served a breach of condition notice.  

"If breaches continue, we will take further action.”

Contraventions carry a maximum penalty of £2,500 for the first offence.
The council did not comment on penalties for further offences.

Ham & High: William Britain, chair of the Highgate Society, with Jane Hill, owner of Shepherd's Cottage, threatened development work in Townsend YardWilliam Britain, chair of the Highgate Society, with Jane Hill, owner of Shepherd's Cottage, threatened development work in Townsend Yard (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

Building compliance company Salus previously told this paper that Mead is carrying on "at their own risk" as it has not been able to "sign off" works as developer and contractor have not submitted fire safety papers.

In November 2021, a year after approving the plans, the council rejected a construction management plan (CMP), saying it gave "insufficient detail" of how the site could be serviced and accessed, including by emergency services and residents.

Haringey Council issued MBC with the first breach of condition notice (BCN) on December 2, giving the company a month to submit a CMP and construction logistics plan.

The notice says "no development shall take place" until the details of these plans are approved "in writing by the local authority" but the Ham&High has yet to see evidence that plans were submitted and approved, despite asking both Mead and the council.

Sean Meadows and MBC have been contacted for comment.