Lib Dem campaigner David Schmitz has launched a new petition to save Wards Corner from demolition.

The historic Seven Sisters building houses a busy market and is dubbed "the gateway to Tottenham". The building has been earmarked to be replaced by a development of flats in proposals backed by a development agency that works closely with Labour-run Haringey Council.

Local traders have produced alternative proposals for the redevelopment which would preserve the historic building and its thriving market.

Prospective parliamentary candidate David Schmitz said, "Local people are horrified by plans to spend £2m of public money knocking down this busy Latin American market when there is a perfectly good alternative which restores this historic site to its former glory and which creates some exciting new buildings in addition."

"It is even more frustrating that so little in the plans is aimed at providing homes that local families can actually afford. What is more, the quota of affordable housing, which the scheme needs in order for it to be approved, will be provided on neighbouring land which is owned by the Council. In other words, publicly owned land will be sold off cheap in order to help secure private profit for the developers."

"The strength of feeling is so strong here that every major party promised to block the plans in this year's London elections - led by Lib Dem candidate Brian Paddick. Now that those elections are over, it's time for Tottenham Labour to start listening to local people and for Mayor Boris to keep his promise to local people."

"Don't let Haringey Labour rip the heart out of our community!"

"The Council's planning committee is due to decide the matter on the 24th July. It is important that as many people as possible sign our petition and also write or email the Council to let them know what they think. The planning reference number is HGY/2008/0303."

ENDS