London Borough of Haringey

Greater transparency and clarity for projects

The London Borough of Haringey is undergoing enormous change with proposals to build around 20,000 units over the next fifteen years. This requires a step-change in the density of development to deliver the number of units needed to meet these ambitious housing targets. Haringey’s planning team is finding VU.CITY invaluable in dealing with the related increased density.

Easily assessing the merits of development‍

With two major development sites at Wood Green and Tottenham Hale, the planning team realised in early 2018 that it needed a tool to help the public and members understand proposals. However, although physical models and 3D images are useful, they are also inflexible.

The borough team had tried various services over the years, but none had quite hit the mark until they tested VU.CITY. The team trialled our interactive digital twin and tested the platform’s 15cm accuracy by positioning a camera within the London model at their office window and comparing the view and were very impressed with the results. 

Building understanding – and trust

Haringey became the first London borough to use VU.CITY at a planning committee, when illustrating the St William development at Haringey Heartlands (Wood Green). The proposal was for 1,700 residential units and extensive commercial development with buildings reaching 23 storeys and density at the top end of the London Plan matrix. 

Showing the scheme in VU.CITY took the sting out of the height and helped councillors visualise the development in context, particularly in relation to Alexandra Palace. The project received consent.

It’s not just on this project that VU.CITY has been - and continues to be - of use. The borough team can look at proposals from an almost unlimited number of viewpoints, whether from street level, a neighbouring building or some miles away, which has proven incredibly valuable in addressing a whole host of concerns. Some people are interested in impacts on their own home or street, while others want to look at strategic views. VU.CITY enables all of this, quickly and transparently.

Because our 3D virtual planning and design platform is independent, councillors and members of the public can feel they can trust the views, which is vital in garnering support for schemes.

The digital story-telling platform everyone can use

The borough is undergoing a great deal of change and will become the area’s biggest housebuilder for the first time since the 1960s with plans for 1,000 council-funded homes. Its continued large scale development includes planning consent granted for 2,500 homes in Tottenham Hale, improvements to public transport and local parks in Tottenham, and plans for a new college and improved community facilities.