A protester against plans to turn a former Highgate garden centre into three luxury homes has come up with an idea to keep the land in the hands of the community.
Highgate Society member Michael Hammerson has suggested that, should Haringey Council refuse proposals to develop the Highgate Garden Centre site, a community organisation could take ownership of the valuable land known as the Highgate Bowl.
The land, off Townsend Yard, would be designated as a community asset, meaning it would be maintained and run by members of the community for public use.
Mr Hammerson said: “The community would be free to use it for whatever they get planning permission for, but it would be to maintain the open character.”
The land was bought by Omved International in September last year after Capital Gardens, which ran the centre, sold the freehold.
A planning application has been submitted to Haringey Council to build three homes on the site.
Fellow Highgate Society member Liz Morris has backed Mr Hammerson’s idea.
Planning consultants Michael Burroughs Associates were unavailable for comment.
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