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”

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”

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   “

Why are Enfield’s planning officers blocking affordable housing?

Plans to build affordable housing on a vacant site in Enfield have been recommended for refusal by Enfield’s planning officers.  (1) This is very surprising as the scheme would deliver 106 flats, of which 100% would be London Affordable Rent (LAR). These flats would therefore help get over 100 families out of temporary accommodation. MostContinue reading “Why are Enfield’s planning officers blocking affordable housing?”

Building in Green Belt areas will not deliver the affordable housing Enfield Council claims

There is an urgent need for more affordable housing. Enfield needs around 10,500 affordable homes, including 3,500 Social Rent homes with 3+ bedrooms. These family homes are needed to provide permanent and safe housing for the thousands of families with children currently living in temporary accommodation and in other unsuitable conditions across Enfield e.g. inContinue reading “Building in Green Belt areas will not deliver the affordable housing Enfield Council claims”

Less than zero: The decline of Social Rent housing in Enfield

New research shows that Enfield is one of the worst performing outer London boroughs for building new Social Rent housing, and is the worst if levels of poverty are factored in. Social Rent housing is more affordable than the private sector and tends to provide a more stable and secure tenancy. Families living in SocialContinue reading “Less than zero: The decline of Social Rent housing in Enfield”