Agenda item

To receive a report updating members on the implementation of the recommendations from the scrutiny workstream review into Meridian Water. 

The panel received a report and presentation from Peter George (Programme Director Meridian Water) updating them on progress against the four themes in the recent Scrutiny Workstream Report.  Copies of the presentation slides can be accessed through the Council website. 

1.            Presentation

Peter George highlighted the following from his presentation which included information on housing, density/open space, employment and the financial model: 

·         Since the last scrutiny meeting, the results of the Government’s Housing Delivery Test had been released which showed that over the last 3 years Enfield had delivered only 56% of their housing targets. This was below the Government’s requirement of a 75% target.  Not enough homes were being built.  This target figure was also about to be increased from 800 homes a year to 1,200.

·         Meridian Water had been judged to be able to provide 5,000 homes and 1,500 jobs, but there had always been an ambition to build 10,000 homes and create an extra 6,000 jobs.  Meeting this ambition would depend on the re-designation of industrial land on the eastern part of the site.  The Local Plan had recently issued a call out for sites and the team had put forward their proposals for housing on this area and were hopeful this would be included in the new Local Plan. 

·         If Meridian Water could not accommodate 10,000 homes, it would further impact on Enfield’s ability to meet its overall housing targets. 

·         Government had granted £170 million in funding for infrastructure works and Vinci had been commissioned to do £90,000 worth of work.  This would also help unlock the potential of the land for housing.

·         A reserve matters planning application had recently been submitted and Vistry were due to start work on the first 300 homes in April or May of this year.  The first homes would be ready to move into within 12 months. 

·         A second planning application, for around 650 homes was due to be submitted this Summer, and the Council were finalising terms with Vistry to deliver another 250 homes on a second site that will deliver 100% affordable housing and 3,000 square meters of workspace.  Two more sites which could deliver a further 1,000 homes would be marketed later in the year. 

·         The provision of green open space was integral to the project and one of the intended key legacy features for the area.  The Meridian Water Environmental Sustainability Strategy set an ambition to achieve 30% green open space and to be carbon neutral by 2030. 

·         Planning permission and funding was in place for two new major parks to be delivered by Vinchy.  This would be equivalent to the size of 12 football pitches.

·         It was not possible to make up the open space deficit in the whole wider area, as this would take 75% of the Meridian Water site.

·         Green connectivity across the site was an aim, as well as improving local access to the neighbouring Lee Valley Regional Park. This park was very underused at present and encouraging local people to make greater use of it was a key objective. 

·         The Council was keen to engage with local stakeholders including the Council for the Protection of Rural England who are campaigning for the creation of ten new London parks.  Meetings had been arranged to discuss plans. 

·         The financial model was linked to the masterplan which was being updated and due to go to Cabinet for formal approval by the end of the year. Regular management meetings were held to ensure good oversight and scrutiny, 

·         The Council’s placemaking strategy involved delivering employment uses before homes. An important part of this was encouraging meanwhile uses.  In 2019, as a result of the partnership with the Vibration Group and Broadwick, the Drumsheds music and cultural venue had brought in more than 75,000 visitors.  The companies were hopeful that this achievement could be repeated this year. Twenty thousand tickets for a planned event had recently sold out within 2 hours.

·         The Council, in partnership with Troubadour, had created three new film studios and a short-term drive-in cinema, providing jobs and training opportunities for young people. 

·         The new Building BloQs affordable workspace project would provide further work and opportunities and was due to complete this summer. 

·         Meridian Water was set in an attractive location as it was so close to the peace and serenity of the Lee Valley Regional Park. 

·         Meridian Water could be seen in terms of the 15 minute city concept (all needs to be within a 15 minute walk) which had become a key aim for many, particularly in the light of experience during the pandemic. This concept had always been a driver for Meridian Water. 

·         Positive progress was being made.  It was essential that Meridian Water was able to provide the homes needed to meet the Council’s housing targets and to create more public open space in an area, where it had been lacking. 

·         The purpose of the recent consultations was to listen and to respond to people’s priorities.

·         This year would be a year of transformational change.  New homes were being built, the largest open workshop space in London created, as well as the new parks.

2.            Questions/Comments

2.1      There were no further known obstacles, subject to planning permission, to prevent Vistry starting work on site.  The site had been mediated.

2.2       The Council was not responsible for sales of housing but Vistry, the Council’s development partner, were planning to focus sales on the UK market.  There were no plans to market homes to investors in the Middle East.

2.3       Affordability levels were driven by Planning constraints: 40% were to be affordable (70% were London affordable rents and 30% at intermediate level).  All should be affordable to the people living in the Edmonton.

2.4       Included in the new masterplan for Meridian Water were plans to meet  a 30% open space requirement.  This was an increase of 12% on what had originally been envisaged.

2.5       A comparison was suggested with the open space created at the new development at Woodberry Down in North Hackney.   Meridian Water compared well.  The amount of open space in Meridian Water was more than the 25% of what it was hoped would be achieved at Woodberry Down. 

2.6       Discussions were taking place with the Council for the Protection of Rural England on the creation of new parks and open space. 

3.            Summing up from the Chair

This was a major development for the borough and she was pleased to see that the foundations were being laid.  The scrutiny panel would continue to seek clarity on future plans.