betterhomesenfield

London needs rent controls

The Government says it wants to tackle the cost of living, reduce homelessness, make housing affordable and bring welfare spending under control. Yet it has ruled out one of the few policies capable of helping to achieve all these aims. On 20 July, shortly after becoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham confirmed that rent freezes wereContinue reading “London needs rent controls”

The Government’s ‘consultation’ about the new town was meaningless

Poor consultations, where local authorities or developers seem to be going through the motions of listening to local people, are all too common. But the Government’s new town consultation was especially poor, particularly given the scale and importance of what is being proposed. Imagine being asked whether you support a major new housing development. BeforeContinue reading “The Government’s ‘consultation’ about the new town was meaningless”

Flats in converted offices are overheating

Better Homes Enfield has been warning for several years about the risks of homes created by converting offices into flats. These are not normal housing developments. Hundreds of flats have been delivered in Enfield via permitted development rights, which allow offices and other commercial buildings to be converted into flats without the full planning scrutinyContinue reading “Flats in converted offices are overheating”

Enfield’s Local Plan must now include proper HMO safeguards

Terraced houses with small front gardens, bins and cars parked along the street.

The latest update from the Enfield Local Plan examination includes welcome news on HMOs. In a recent letter to Enfield Council, the Planning Inspector has said that Enfield’s new Local Plan must include a specific policy for Houses in Multiple Occupation, commonly known as HMOs. This is good news, and something Better Homes Enfield hasContinue reading “Enfield’s Local Plan must now include proper HMO safeguards”

Enfield doesn’t need more big talk, it needs delivery

View across open fields and a footpath at Crews Hill and Chase Park, with trees, distant buildings and a cloudy sky

The Government says a new town at Crews Hill and Chase Park will “restore the dream of home ownership in Enfield.” But will it? In April, Better Homes Enfield was among six local campaign groups who wrote to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) about their new town consultation. We asked MHCLGContinue reading “Enfield doesn’t need more big talk, it needs delivery”

After 15 years of Labour control, Enfield needs change

Enfield Civic Centre building and sign with the words “Twenty reasons why Enfield needs new leadership” overlaid on the image.

For 15 years, Enfield Council has made big promises on housing, regeneration, jobs and parks. But too often the results have gone the other way. Homes have not been built at the scale promised. Social rent homes have been lost. Homelessness is among the worst in the country. Local job opportunities have been lost, whileContinue reading “After 15 years of Labour control, Enfield needs change”

Enfield’s parks and green spaces are under threat

Church Street Recreation Ground in Edmonton, showing a grass sports pitch with football goals, trees and housing in the background.

Yesterday we revealed that many of Enfield’s parks and open spaces could be affected by the proposed new town, including Hilly Fields, Trent Park and Whitewebbs. The proposals also bring major recreational land into the frame. This includes three golf courses, equestrian facilities and sports clubs. But the new town proposal is not an isolatedContinue reading “Enfield’s parks and green spaces are under threat”

Is the new town boundary being kept secret until after polling day?

Wooden footpath sign pointing to Crews Hill, Whitewebbs Park, Trent Park and Lee Valley, with open greenfield land behind it.

The Government’s own environmental assessment suggests the proposal could involve far more than Crews Hill Golf Course and garden centres. Enfield residents are being asked to respond to a consultation on a proposed new town at Crews Hill and Chase Park. But there is one basic problem. We still do not know where the newContinue reading “Is the new town boundary being kept secret until after polling day?”

Erbil’s housing promises fall apart under scrutiny

Crews Hill Golf Course, showing open grassland, mature trees and a public path.

With seven days until polling day, Enfield voters are being asked to believe a series of major housing promises that do not survive basic scrutiny. Cllr Ergin Erbil has claimed Enfield Labour can build 6,000 council homes at Crews Hill Golf Course, give Enfield residents “first dibs” on new town homes, deliver “thousands of jobs”,Continue reading “Erbil’s housing promises fall apart under scrutiny”

Enfield cannot afford to lose more jobs. So why do new town plans treat them as expendable?

Unused land at Meridian Water with overlaid text reading: “Enfield cannot afford to lose more jobs. So why do new town plans treat them as expendable?”

Enfield cannot afford to lose more local jobs. But the proposed Crews Hill and Chase Park new town risks treating existing businesses and livelihoods as expendable.