Alma Estate Redevelopment: Planning approval setback for affordable housing in Enfield

Introduction The redevelopment of the Alma Estate in Ponders End marks a significant transformation for this post-war estate. Initially approved in 2017, the project aimed to create a modern, sustainable community by demolishing 746 homes and constructing 993 new ones. Subsequent planning applications have increased the number of homes to 1,080, and last night, Enfield’sContinue reading “Alma Estate Redevelopment: Planning approval setback for affordable housing in Enfield”

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”

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”

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?”

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.”

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   “

Enfield Council approves another FOUR tower blocks with single staircases

Last night Enfield Council granted planning permission for another four new tower blocks at its Meridian Water development. The latest tower blocks will range from 10 to 16 storeys, and each of them will only have a single staircase. This comes only a few weeks after it approved two other tower blocks at its flagshipContinue reading “Enfield Council approves another FOUR tower blocks with single staircases”