Enfield Council’s Meridian Water Regeneration scheme, including the purchase of Stonehill Estate, has failed to deliver on its pledge for job creation and housing provision. While the council justified the purchase with plans for a large e-commerce centre and 2,000 homes, neither the centre has been built nor the land cleared for housing. Many jobs have been lost due to site clearance for proposed projects, with no substantial replacement. The scheme now faces scrutiny, raising questions about the council’s ability to deliver on its commitments alongside growing concern about local unemployment rates.
Author Archives: betterhomesenfield
Another community park in Edmonton is at risk as Enfield Council propose to redevelop Kenninghall Open Space.
Kenninghall Open Space in Edmonton is one of the few accessible green spaces in the area and is an important asset for the local community. For example, this Sunday (10/09/2023) the park will host the Kenninghall Festival to celebrate food harvested by local growers [Figure 1]. Figure 1 – Source: Enfield Council (2023); Flyer advertisingContinue reading “Another community park in Edmonton is at risk as Enfield Council propose to redevelop Kenninghall Open Space.”
The Planning Game
Enfield Council’s Planning Committee recently allowed an applicant to reduce the number of social rent homes on a previously approved application from 46 down to zero, showing how developers are able to play the system. The controversial scheme in Brimsdown was initially approved in December 2020 on the basis that 46 of the 148Continue reading “The Planning Game”
Shared Ownership homes at Meridian Water have gone on sale, but can local people afford them?
The first ‘affordable’ Shared Ownership flats at Enfield Council’s Meridian Water development are now being advertised, but costs for these homes are well above what most local people can afford. [1] New two-bedroom homes on the development are currently priced between £427,000 and £590,000. [2] This means that acquiring the minimum 50% Shared Ownership stakeContinue reading “Shared Ownership homes at Meridian Water have gone on sale, but can local people afford them?”
Apparently, the Meridian Water Masterplan is complete, so why isn’t it published and why weren’t the public consulted?
In a recent report, Enfield Council announced that they’re intending to cut the number of employees working on the regeneration of Meridian Water from 45 to 20. One of the reasons given for letting go more than half the staff, is that the Masterplan is now complete. [1] This means the Council has completed theContinue reading “Apparently, the Meridian Water Masterplan is complete, so why isn’t it published and why weren’t the public consulted?”
Uncertainty about the future of the Shires estate
Bad tempered Council meeting ends in uncertainty and frustration for residents. Cheshire House and Shropshire House are 18-storey tower blocks on the Shires estate in Edmonton. The blocks were built in the 1960s and house 204 families. People living in the blocks have experienced ongoing problems such as persistent mould, due to decades of underContinue reading “Uncertainty about the future of the Shires estate”
No new Social Rent Housing in Enfield for past 2 years.
The latest affordable housing data shows that no new Social Rent homes have been built in Enfield for at least two years. Figures also show that the number of newly built ‘London Affordable Rent’ homes fell from 136 to 129. This bucks the London wide trend which recorded a 25% increase in Social Rent completionsContinue reading “No new Social Rent Housing in Enfield for past 2 years.”
Council proposes demolition of successful venue
“The Drumsheds” at Meridian Water will be known to many people as a popular music and clubbing venue, however the Council now wants to demolish The Drumsheds as part of its plans to regenerate the area. The Drumsheds has hosted a wide range of events in recent years, such as Field Day, which was attendedContinue reading “Council proposes demolition of successful venue”
Spiralling costs and delays at Meridian Water
Enfield Council’s regeneration of Meridian Water appears to be in the midst of a vicious circle of spiralling costs and delays. The cost of building essential infrastructure (e.g. roads and bridges) at Meridian Water has escalated due to delays in the design process, extended contract negotiations, and inflation. As a result Enfield Council now needsContinue reading “Spiralling costs and delays at Meridian Water”
Census reveals why building more housing won’t be enough to solve Enfield’s housing crisis
The UK is in the midst of a housing crisis. Rent and property prices are unaffordable for an increasing number of families, and rates of homelessness are rising. The London Borough of Enfield has been particularly hard hit and has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the country, as well as very highContinue reading “Census reveals why building more housing won’t be enough to solve Enfield’s housing crisis “
Better Homes Enfield 