Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Executive Director Place (Report No: 134A) requesting additional funding for the redevelopment of the Joyce Avenue and Snells Park Estate.  Key Decision Number:  KD: 4590

This report was considered by Cabinet on 6 November 2019 and recommended on to Council. 

Councillor Caliskan moved and Councillor Needs seconded the report of the Executive Director Place on additional funding for the redevelopment of the Joyce Avenue and Snells Park Estate.  (Report No:  134A)

NOTED

1.            The recommendations in the report had been considered and agreed for recommendation to Council at a Cabinet meeting held on 6 November 2019.

2.            The view of the Leader that this signalled an innovative development proposal that would improve the life chances and opportunities for Edmonton residents. 

3.            Acknowledgement of the hard work of officers and many conversations with local residents over the past 2 years which had enabled the administration to bring the proposals to this crucial stage. 

4.            Awareness that residents in the area had suffered greatly from crime and anti-social behaviour, including drug dealing and daylight prostitution, thought to be linked to serious youth violence. These residents felt abandoned and wanted significant investment and improvement.

5.            The principles that underpinned this new “Enfield Model” of estate renewal included: that every regeneration scheme should benefit its residents.  The Council would lead and control the project which would be phased in over 15 years, allowing residents to move directly from their old to their new homes, with no need for decanting or to move out of the area.  Every resident, including private renters, would be offered a home on the new estate. 

6.            The Council would retain ownership of nearly all the homes.  It would provide hundreds of new council homes as well as homes for rent with long term tenancies and a local lettings scheme which won’t be eligible for right to buy.  They would be really affordable and not cost more than one third of household income. 

7.            The build to rent model would also improve standards in the private rented sector which was currently failing to provide good housing.

8.            The project made provision for key public sector workers including those working in the nearby North Middlesex Hospital.

9.            The improvements would extend to designing new neighbourhoods to help create stronger communities, addressing local problems and building the local economy.  The Council was also putting in a good growth fund bid from the GLA to improve the high street at the Angel Edmonton, Fore Street.  

10.         Acknowledgement that the scheme would be expensive but it would create over 2000 new affordable homes. High level financial modelling showed the scheme’s viability with repayment over 50 years. 

11.         This report was requesting agreement to the financing to enable the project to be bought to the ballot and final planning stage. 

12.         Whilst acknowledging the significant problems on these estates, being keen to see them addressed and approving the principles behind the redevelopment, the Opposition had the following concerns relating to: 

·         The financing of the whole scheme and its affordability. 

·         The £4m cost of bringing the report to ballot and the length of time leading up to the ballot. 

·         The view that the scheme should have been designed and surveyed before this point and expenditure capped  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8

A report from the Executive Director – Place is attached. (Key decision – reference number 4590)

(Report No.134)

Councillor Nesil Caliskan (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Director of Place, Sarah Cary (No: 134) - Joyce Avenue and Snells Park Estate Redevelopment. 

NOTED

1.            The report was the culmination of several years preparatory work on a project which was now ready to begin.  It was crucial to avoid delay at this point, which was the reason for presenting the report that evening. 

2.            In 2017, Cabinet had given approval to start feasibility work to find out how best renew the two estates, with full details in the report.

3.            The Council was committed to provide a home to all existing residents, including those in private leased accommodation.  A significant number of people living on the estate were in the private sector

4.            Regeneration would provide a benefit to the whole local community. 

5.            The model, specific to Enfield, would include Council homes for social rent as well as some build to rent properties.  The Council would remain the landlord.

6.            Homes would also be provided for key workers, including those working at the nearby North Middlesex Hospital.  The hospital Chief Executive had written a letter of support.

7.            The proposals would seek to address concerns of local residents, who had in the past felt abandoned, including crime, prostitution and antisocial behaviour.

8.            In the short term, funding would be unlocked for a hub based in the Boundary Hall on the Snells Park Estate.  A team of staff would be based there to carryout community engagement and deal with residents’ issues.  Work would also be put in hand to improve the physical environment, knocking down derelict garages and bin stores which could be magnets for crime.  It was planned that the Boundary Hall could be refurbished by the end of the year. 

9.            As well as replacing existing Council homes there will be additional affordable homes for people in temporary accommodation.  Those with a legal right to a Council home would be prioritised.  However, there would also be good quality homes for private rent for those who were not eligible for social housing. 

10.         The existing open space was not well used and better, more attractive green spaces and play areas would be created.  Initial consultation with residents had found that safe places for children’s play was a key requirement

11.         The Florence Hayes Park could be used to enable the first stage of the development, so that people will only need to be decanted once, but this would be subject to consultation with local residents. 

12.         There will be other regeneration opportunities in the area including the proposals for the Fore Street. 

13.         Members praised the innovative approach.

14.         Work would be done to bring the two communities on each of the estates together into one community.

15.         The aim was to involve all residents in the re-development and design of the new buildings. 

16.         Flexibility had been built into the scheme as the whole project would take 10-15 years and during this time things  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4