Enfield’s Planning Committee is responsible for determining planning applications that shape Enfield’s neighbourhoods, influence housing delivery, and set precedents for future development. However, the past year has been marked by declining output and controversies that raise serious questions about governance, value for money, and public confidence. Deteriorating value for money The Planning Committee plays aContinue reading “Enfield’s Planning Committee: Performance, Accountability and Public Trust”
Tag Archives: Enfield Council
Enfield’s New Local Plan: A Missed Opportunity to Control Adult Gaming Centres
Enfield Council has spent over £7 million preparing its new Local Plan intended to shape Enfield for the next 15 years. Yet despite this significant investment, the Plan fails to adequately address the growing number of adult gaming centres and betting shops on Enfield’s high streets. In a recent Enfield Dispatch article, local community groupContinue reading “Enfield’s New Local Plan: A Missed Opportunity to Control Adult Gaming Centres”
Boldness Without Respect: Crews Hill’s Businesses Deserve Better
Why Enfield’s New Town Vision Risks Jobs and Community The “bold vision” for Crews Hill, wrapped in the language of a New Town designation, is being sold as progress. But for the hundreds of people whose livelihoods depend on the area’s businesses, including the horticultural nurseries, garden centres, landscapers, builders’ yards, and family-run suppliers, theContinue reading “Boldness Without Respect: Crews Hill’s Businesses Deserve Better”
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”
Where Has £650,000 of Meridian Water Community Chest Money Gone?
In 2021 Enfield Council established the Meridian Water Community Chest which promised to transform the lives of residents in Edmonton. Four years on, it Is unclear what has happened to £650,000 of the fund that was supposed to be distributed to benefit the community. Despite the Council’s commitment to regular grant rounds and reporting, theContinue reading “Where Has £650,000 of Meridian Water Community Chest Money Gone?”
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.
Better Homes Enfield 