High Court to hear challenge to CPO that campaigners say would see end of ‘Latin Village’

The High Court is this week hearing a legal challenge to a compulsory purchase order affecting what is said to be the UK’s only ‘Latin village’.

The two-day hearing was due to be take place on 8 and 10 October.

The CPO would allow residential landlord Grainger build 196 flats and a shopping centre on the site, which includes the Seven Sisters Indoor Market where the Latin Village is based.

The market is home to 60 units containing independent businesses including restaurants, nail salons, bakeries and money exchanges.

An offer has been made to move the market to a temporary new location, but traders claim rents will go up and they will be put out of business.

Campaigners said the CPO had led to the eviction of dozens of families from their affordable homes.

Jayesh Kunwardia, Head of Housing and Property Law at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: “This development will decimate the Latin American community in North London, destroying its cultural hub. This gentrification has already been criticised by the UN, who recognised the cultural importance of the Latin Village, yet still the council choose to bury their heads in the sand over the impact this development will have.

“We have launched this challenge to try to get justice for the Latin American community and ensure that their important cultural centre survives.”

Marc Willers QC, Tim Baldwin and Camila Zapata Besso of the Garden Court Housing Team are appearing for the claimants.