Wood Green's new neighbourhood: Clarendon quarter to bring 1,714 homes 22 public green spaces and a park to north London area

With its famous “palace” looming large at the top of the slope, Alexandra Park has long been a giant back garden for hemmed-in residents of neighbouring Wood Green.

Now, though, Wood Green is getting its own green space, as its industrial-age reservoirs, railway viaducts and gasworks are opened up for recreational use, with housing alongside.

Clarendon, a new “quarter” of 1,714 homes, is being built on 12 acres next to train tracks.

The scheme brings a new park and 22 pockets of public green space, totalling five acres, as well as private landscaped courtyards and a new commercial hub.

The first phase of homes in a 15-storey tower cost from £355,000, low enough to entice first-time buyers who want a quick commute to central London.

Four train stations, Tube and Overground, are within a half-mile walk of the development.

Remarkably, this gritty Zone 3 location has Metropolitan Open Land right next door.

Nearby New River Village, an ex-waterworks, has already been transformed into 467 canalside homes, while 196-acre Ally Pally Park is designated as a local nature reserve.

Clarendon Yards, where light industrial sheds, part of the wider Clarendon development plot, have been taken over temporarily by creative businesses, craft brewers and street food specialists, are attracting hundreds of people at weekends.

These “meanwhile” uses act as an incubator for local businesses, some of which could take permanent space in new commercial units due to be built.

“It’s an obvious stepping stone, and will help sustain the new neighbourhood,” says Sean Ellis, boss of developer St William.

The entire project will take at least 10 years to complete. More info.