Enfield takes back control of Meridian Water project

Enfield Council has announced its £6bn Meridian Water regeneration project is ‘back on track’ after taking overall control of the scheme.

The London borough’s cabinet met last night (25 July) and agreed in principle a series of decisions that will see the council take the lead responsibility for setting strategies, working up the masterplan and deciding the optimal phasing plan for delivery.

Developer Barratt London pulled out of the project in October, after the council refused to sign up to a ‘poor deal for residents’.

Now the cabinet has agreed that development partners will be sought for the first two housing sites, delivering nearly 1,000 new homes, with procurement for the site around the new train station to begin immediately after the summer through the GLA’s London Development Panel.

A development partner will also be sought for the first major employment site, with a new employment strategy endorsed to secure jobs for the local community.

The cabinet has also agreed to bid for £120m, of government funding through the Housing Infrastructure Fund to connect all parts of Meridian Water to the new train station and improve the frequency of train services.

‘Today marks a watershed moment in the delivery of Meridian Water,’ said council leader, Cllr Nesil Caliskan,

‘Meridian Water is back on track and the way we are delivering is genuinely new for a local authority.

‘Going forward we will be in control and we will be the custodians of the place Meridian Water will become; investing council money and resources to ensure that local people are the principal beneficiaries of the new homes and jobs that will be created,’ added Cllr Caliskan.

‘We will select development and other partners to work with the council to bring forward specific parts of the regeneration, whether that is for housing delivery, new employment spaces or meanwhile uses, and we will hold the vision for Meridian Water and oversee its delivery.

‘I am pleased to say that we are also ready to accelerate delivery and will bring forward the first housing site, which will see hundreds of private and affordable homes built around the new train station. A second housing site and a site for a major employment hub will then follow.

‘Meanwhile, we are progressing our detailed business case for the Housing Infrastructure Fund which, if secured in full, will see £120m of government funding to connect all parts of Meridian Water to the new train station and improve the frequency of train services.

‘We are also working on a dedicated employment strategy which will bring high-quality jobs, life and some exciting uses to Meridian Water, very early in the development.

‘The cabinet and I are absolutely determined to create a legacy to be proud of in the borough, whilst also delivering a return on the council’s investment, and I look forward to making further announcements as we rapidly secure real benefits from the Meridian Water regeneration,’ added the council leader.