betterhomesenfield

Plans approved for over 2,000 new homes at the Joyce Avenue and Snells Park estates

Last night, Enfield Council’s planning committee approved plans to demolish 795 homes across the Joyce Avenue and Snells Park estates and replace them with up to 2,028 new homes. The demolition and construction will be conducted over 23-years, eventually delivering an additional 1,233 homes in buildings of up to 26-storeys. The development will be aContinue reading “Plans approved for over 2,000 new homes at the Joyce Avenue and Snells Park estates”

Is Enfield Council taking fire safety seriously?

The 14th of June marks seven years since the Grenfell Tower fire when 72 people died. Following the tragedy, Sadiq Khan used his powers as Mayor of London to improve the fire safety of buildings. The London Plan (adopted in 2021) now includes policies to ensure fire safety is considered at the early stages ofContinue reading “Is Enfield Council taking fire safety seriously?”

Local Plan consultation: Enfield council gives public less than 2 weeks to review 7,000+ pages of withheld evidence

The Local Plan is an important document that will shape Enfield’s future. Enfield’s proposed new Local Plan sets out how the Borough will change over the next 20 years. It covers key issues such as housing, transport, environment, economy, health, and community facilities. It’s an important and powerful document because it sets out how Enfield’sContinue reading “Local Plan consultation: Enfield council gives public less than 2 weeks to review 7,000+ pages of withheld evidence”

Meridian Water: A cautionary tale of unrealistic expectations

In 2009/10, Enfield Council claimed over 2,500 new homes would be built at Meridian Water by 2023/24. However, only 20 have been completed – that’s less than 1% of the projected number. [1,2] The council’s projections for housing delivery at Meridian Water were based on ‘extensive work’ and ‘conservative’ start dates, and were accepted byContinue reading “Meridian Water: A cautionary tale of unrealistic expectations”

Meridian Water is not working

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.

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.”

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”