Enfield Council acts after discovering unlawful occupation of Southgate Police Station
Enfield: So, here’s the scoop. The old Southgate Police Station has been in the news lately because it’s been unlawfully occupied. The council just served an enforcement notice to the owners after finding out people were living there.
Last year, there were plans to turn the station into a 65-room hostel, but the council shot that down. They were worried it would make the area worse, especially with all the antisocial behavior already happening around Chase Side.
After the plans got rejected, it didn’t take long for folks to start moving in. The council got wind of it and sent out enforcement officers to check things out. They confirmed that a planning breach had occurred.
Now, the owners have until the end of April to clear the building. Susan Erbil, the council’s planning chief, made it clear that they won’t tolerate this kind of thing. They want to make sure everything’s above board.
The planning agent for the project, Log Creation Ltd, didn’t want to comment when asked about the situation. But the council had some serious concerns about the original hostel plans, saying they lacked proper management and support for future residents.
Interestingly, it turns out other councils were using the police station for temporary housing for the homeless. Cllr Stephanos Ioannou, who’s been on this case, said he’s glad the council is finally taking action, even if it took a while.
He’s open to the idea of a new proposal if it’s something that actually benefits the community, like affordable housing or office space. It’s all about finding a solution that works for everyone.
