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A London council plans to spend £33m on a new "corporate headquarters", which it says will increase efficiency and make way for more affordable housing.

Haringey Council said no funding had yet been earmarked for the headquarters, but it was hoped that the building project would go ahead – although he was unable to specify a timescale.

Bosses hope a new building would be more efficient due to unused space within the current town hall, which is located in Wood Green.

The spending was outlined in Haringey’s draft capital programme, which lists one-off projects, which was put before the Labour Cabinet earlier this week.

According to the documents, the new headquarters would also be located in Wood Green, and would be paid for over a period of several years.

The local authority hopes that the existing land could be used to provide more affordable housing within the borough.

A spokesman said the building would be paid for by raising money – which may come from selling off existing assets – and by increasing efficiency.

The decision has been criticised by opponents, who have pointed out that the local authority has made savage cuts to public services as a result of budget pressures.

However, the spokesman said the new building would not come at the expense of public services.

Cllr Gail Engert, Haringey’s Lib Dem opposition leader, said: “The Liberal Democrats believe that the £33m would be far better spent on new affordable homes and a new swimming pool for Wood Green.”

A spokesman for Haringey Council said: "These are indicative figures for what would happen if we develop large amounts of our land for much needed housing as part of the regeneration of Wood Green, but there is no specific proposal to do this."