The leader of Haringey Council has defended the local authority’s treatment of market traders who are being forced to move due to regeneration plans.

Cllr Joseph Ejiofor said the council was committed to a “sustainable” Latin Village market on Wards Corner, Seven Sisters, in response to concerns that it was not doing enough to protect the site from developers.

In an email to Labour Party members, he said the council was in talks with developer Grainger aimed at securing more favourable tenancies on a new site for the market and involving traders in the design of the building.

Cllr Ejiofor’s comments came in response to an article by Guardian columnist Aditya Chakrabortty claiming the council was “not upholding” its mandate to save the Latin Village.

The article said Labour members across the borough had voted during the summer to stop the demolition of Latin Village.

Cllr Ejiofor admitted that the council’s hands were effectively tied by a decision made by Haringey’s previous administration, headed by Claire Kober, to rubber-stamp plans by Grainger to knock down the market and build nearly 200 homes on the site.

The council leader said going back on the agreement would mean the council having to hand over “many millions in compensation to the developer”.

He said: “Considering the budget cuts imposed by central government, this is simply neither feasible nor practical.”

Cllr Ejiofor continued: “We are pressing Grainger to see whether the fixed-term rental agreement for the first five years in the new market site can be extended.

Haringey's new council leader Joseph Ejiofor Haringey's new council leader Joseph Ejiofor

“We want the traders to see whether they can be more engaged in the design process for the new market.

“Wherever there is development and social and economic renewal across Haringey, the people, the communities that were there before will be an integral part of that area’s future.”

The council leader said his administration would have taken a different approach to negotiations compared to Ms Kober’s regime.

But he added that the Latin Village market’s prospects had improved following talks with Grainger, with traders being offered places at a temporary market as well as financial support with the move, including rent discounts.

Jonny Kiddle, senior development manager at Grainger, said: “The continued success of the Seven Sisters Market is hugely important to Grainger.

“Through ongoing dialogue with both the market traders and Haringey Council, we have worked to enhance the original terms of the traders’ relocation package.

“This provides greater protection and certainty for the market traders with their rent set for five years, including an initial three-month rent-free period.

“We have made a number of additional commitments to existing traders, which we believe will enable them to feel secure in their future and plan for the long-term.

“We are working closely with the traders via the Future of Seven Sisters Market Steering Group, and will continue to do so, involving them in the design and layout of the market.”