Enfield to increase affordable housing to 50% on first phase of its £6bn Meridian Water scheme
A London council has committed to 50% affordable housing on the first phase of a troubled £6bn flagship regeneration scheme.
The Meridian Water project in Edmonton, Enfield, is aiming to deliver 10,000 homes across 85 hectares over 20 years. The first phase, being delivered by Galliford Try, is expected to see 910 homes built by 2025. Galliford Try beat L&Q, Peabody and Redrow to deliver the first phase.
Last night Enfield Council’s cabinet members voted to deliver 50% affordable housing on the first phase, after initial plans said it would be between 35% and 50%.
In 2017, Sadiq Khan set house builders a target of 35% affordable housing on new developments. However, the London mayor has come under fire for his record on delivering affordable housing.
A council spokesperson has said that of the 910 homes to be delivered in the first phase at Meridian Water, 230 will be council homes at London Affordable Rent and 226 affordable homes through shared ownership.
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The scheme has endured a chequered history. Two years ago, a deal the council had with Barratt as preferred bidder collapsed, as the authority branded the house builder’s terms “unacceptable”.
A new deal signed with Hong Kong developer Pacific Century Premium Developments fell apart last year, as the developer said there was “substantial differences between the two sides”.
The council has instead taken on the role of master developer.
Three housing associations and Galliford Try are battling it out to be preferred bidder for the second phase, which will involve 250 affordable homes. L&Q, Optivo and Notting Hill Genesis have all been shortlisted, with a decision expected by the end of this year.
In August, Enfield became the first London borough to receive funds from the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, securing £156m for the project.
Housing minister Esther McVey visited the site last week and declared it was part of the government’s vision to build homes in “places that need them – and affordable ones, at that”.
The government was criticised earlier this week for failing to acknowledge the housing crisis in the Queen’s Speech.
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