Work has started on a major new development in Tottenham Hale's Ashley Road that will create more than 560 new homes, a brand new building for a local college, and thousands of square metres of commercial and office space.

Cllr Alan Strickland, Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning joined Jonathan Carkeet, Director of Berkeley Square Developments, on Wednesday to start construction on the exciting new development.

The centrepiece of the plans is an innovative 6,000 sq metre building for Ada National College for Digital Skills. The futuristic new building will accommodate up to 1,600 students and include a rooftop sports and games area that will be open to the public. The college will move to Ashley Road in 2019 from its current temporary location on nearby Broad Lane.

This is one of a number of developments planned for Ashley Road that will see a total of 826 new homes built overall, more than a third of which will be affordable for local people, including affordable rent, discount market rent and shared ownership properties.

Cllr Alan Strickland, Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning, said: “It was a proud moment to join Berkeley Square Developments to start work on a scheme that will transform Ashley Road. The development is part of our ambitious plans to create a new town centre in Tottenham Hale with new homes, jobs, shops and businesses.

“The new Ada building will be a spectacular addition to the area and the whole scheme is another exciting milestone in the regeneration of Tottenham and our vision to bring at least 10,000 new homes and 5,000 new jobs to the area.”

Jonathan Carkeet, Director of Berkeley Square Developments, said: “Berkeley Square Developments is delighted to start work on one of the biggest regeneration schemes in Tottenham Hale. We will construct over 560 new homes, and as part of the wider Ashley Road South proposals deliver at least 35% affordable housing, alongside exciting new commercial and retail spaces. As part of our regeneration plans, we will also be creating new job opportunities and a host of public realm and pedestrian improvements.

“We are also delighted to be delivering the UK’s first ever digital skills college with the Ada National College for Digital Skills, an eye-catching new building, set to be an iconic landmark for Tottenham Hale. The college will educate up-to 1,600 students, offering skills for the future in the emerging digital economy.”

These proposals are part of a major transformation planned for Tottenham Hale that will create thousands of new homes and jobs, including:

· Works to improve Tottenham Hale’s bus station as the first phase in creating a new district centre with new homes, shops, cafes and restaurants and community facilities.

· A Notting Hill Housing Trust development with up to 265 new homes and 3,600 sqm of commercial floor-space in Ashley Road.

· A landmark 32 storey tower including 279 homes and 12,500 sq ft of commercial and employment space built by Anthology within the award-winning Hale Village.

· Proposals for 900 new homes and major investment by developer Argent Related, including market sale, build to rent and shared ownership.

· £20million improvements to Tottenham Hale train station, which has Victoria line, National Rail and potential Crossrail 2 links.