Enfield Council has announced it will be creating 16,000 jobs and 10,000 homes on its flagship £3.5 billion development Meridian Water.
The Council has also appointed Barratt as the master developer for the project, who will work with SEGRO as a development partner on the urban logistics element. The project which will provide 10,000 homes, 6,000 permanent jobs, 10,000 jobs in the construction industry, and supporting infrastructure including a railway station, shops and other community facilities in a beautiful waterfront setting.
As one of the biggest developments in the United Kingdom and one of the largest housing developments in London it will also play a major role in helping to ease the housing crisis in London.
Meridian Water has already been given housing zone status by the government meaning it will be easier and quicker to provide new housing on the site than would be normal.
But the scheme will also see significant investment in the area’s community facilities and transport links which will improve connectivity between north London and the Lee Valley corridor and help to add an estimated £3 billion to the UK economy by 2036 by stimulating growth elsewhere in the region.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing & Housing Regeneration, Cllr Ahmet Oykener, said: “It is incredibly exciting that we have appointed Barratts & Segro to make Meridian Water a reality. Now we can start getting boots on the ground and proceed with this transformational project for Edmonton and the wider area and create a truly world class development which will improve the quality of life for tens of thousands of people.
”Meridian Water will play a huge part in helping to ease the housing crisis in London and will provide fantastic quality accommodation to thousands of families. It is a truly huge project which demonstrates Enfield Council’s commitment to improving the quality of life for its residents.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration & Business, Cllr Alan Sitkin, said: “Meridian Water will give an enormous boost to the construction industry both in London and the United Kingdom creating thousands of specialist jobs as we create a legacy of opportunity, investment and employment in London.
“Meridian Water will supply Enfield and further afield with the jobs, training and opportunities to lift some of our most deprived communities out of poverty by providing good quality employment opportunities in the very heart of their communities.
“I’m delighted we have appointed Barratt & SEGRO to deliver this exciting project given their strong track record of delivering major regeneration schemes in the UK.
“The growth and prosperity Meridian Water will create will give our residents, some of whom live in the most deprived parts of London, an unparalleled opportunity to benefit from the jobs and training opportunities we will be creating.
“Our challenge is to make sure that both our existing communities and future generations of Enfield residents benefit from this once in a lifetime scheme to transform North London economically.”
The formal appointment of Barratt & SEGRO is subject to caveats around Enfield Council’s call in process and the Alcatel period that must be observed before the Council can enter into contracts with the winning developer.
The construction jobs will be provided over the 20 year lifespan of the project. Enfield Council is committed to paying the London Living Wage and providing good quality jobs in the borough.
Alastair Baird, Barratt London’s Regional Managing Director said: “Barratt London and our partners SEGRO are delighted to have been selected by LB Enfield as their preferred development partners for one of the most exciting regeneration opportunities in London.
“We look forward to collaborating with the Council in the coming months and years to ensure that we deliver the right mix of housing, infrastructure, jobs and public services to create a sustainable new community that will benefit existing and future residents of the area. Our combined project team has an unrivalled pool of experience in delivering complex mixed-use regeneration projects that deliver both jobs and much needed new housing.”
Alan Holland, SEGRO Greater London Business Unit Director said: “Being selected as the development partners with Barratt London for the regeneration of Meridian Water is great news.
“We have a long standing relationship with the borough with a number of industrial schemes already up and running, bringing real jobs to Enfield and the wider region.
“We have a proven track record in delivering successful places for business to thrive, creating employment opportunities and helping attract inward investment to the area helping to create a sustainable community alongside the residential offering.”