Meridian Water, London Borough of Enfield, for Enfield Council and Strategic Infrastructure Works, with Taylor Woodrow, Arup and Stace

The £6bn Meridian Water, one of the largest regeneration projects in London, has a scope of over 25 years. It will provide 10,000 homes over its course with the first twenty delivered in September 2023 including family-sized housing, accessible homes, and single bedroom flats. Enfield Council funded the £46m Meridian Water station, completed in 2019, and considered a linchpin for the development.

Who is on the project team? (designer, consultants, etc)

Enfield Council - Master Developer

Taylor Woodrow - Delivering the strategic infrastructure works

AECOM - Employers Agent and Project Management

Stace - Project Consultancy Services

Please describe your approach to this future public realm. How does it knit into, and serve the needs of the wider area?

Edmonton grapples with challenges related to inadequate open spaces, exacerbated by its association with multiple deprivation areas. The scarcity of vacant land in densely populated areas like Angel Edmonton and Edmonton Green limits opportunities for new public spaces. The environmental landscape is marred by remnants of past industrial activities, contributing to a poor-quality environment. Watercourses, including the Lee Navigation flood relief channel, Salmons Brook, and Pymmes Brook, suffer from fragmentation and restricted public access due to elevated embankments and indirect routes. In response, Meridian Water introduces transformative initiatives, including the completion of Edmonton Marshes, a 6.4-hectare park scheduled for Summer 2026. Beyond serving as a critical flood attenuation asset, this expansive green space also functions as an amenity for 10,000 new homes, showcasing the project’s commitment to sustainable soil remediation. Simultaneously, Brooks Park, spanning 2 hectares and centred around the naturalised Pymmes Brook, augments the ecological richness of Meridian Water. The park’s design, featuring meandering river walks, natural play spaces, and ecological areas, pays homage to the site’s industrial history, creating a distinctive sense of place. The naturalisation of the Brooks adds ecological value and contributes to floodwater storage capacity, mitigating extreme weather events. As part of the Strategic Infrastructure Works (SIW) program, improvements to accessibility and transport are underway. The Meridian Water Station, operational since 2019, facilitates enhanced connectivity, ensuring easy access to these new public realm facilities. This integrated approach aims to foster a vibrant and sustainable community within the evolving urban landscape of Edmonton.

Describe the social impact of the project: How will it contribute to the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of the wider place and its community?

Meridian Water’s impact extends beyond physical development, fostering economic, environmental, and social well-being for the wider community. The regeneration project aspires to bring diverse communities together, offering inclusive social activities for all ages, one example is through Meridian One’s community garden. This offers free opportunities for the community to get involved in growing their own food and to socialise in the events on offer, promoting health and wellbeing. The introduction of the Enfield Construction Skills Academy at Meridian Water signifies a commitment to creating opportunities, apprenticeships, and education provisions. This initiative aims to upskill residents, ensuring equitable access to opportunities and nurturing a skilled local workforce. By addressing dissatisfaction with open space in the area, Meridian Water prioritises the creation of vibrant and accessible public spaces, countering the lack of provision and poor accessibility that previously affected the community. The delivery of Brooks Park and Edmonton Marshes, coupled with improved access to the canal, not only enhances environmental sustainability but also offers the community valuable green spaces easily reachable by foot, road, and public transport. This aligns with Enfield Council’s Blue Green Strategy, emphasizing the importance of safe and accessible green spaces, especially highlighted during the Covid-19 crisis. Meridian Water emerges as more than a housing project; it’s a beacon of urban revitalisation that addresses economic, environmental, and social dimensions. The commitment to community wellbeing, skill development, and accessible public spaces reflects a holistic approach that contributes positively to the broader community and the regeneration of Enfield as a whole. 

What is the sustainability strategy for the project? How will the carbon use and material impact of the development be mitigated?

Meridian Water integrates sustainability into its design. Approximately 30% of the site will be dedicated to green infrastructure, including new parks, open spaces, trees, and green links, fostering a carbon-conscious environment. To support these initiatives, the Council has invested in a district heating network, utilising low carbon heat from the rebuilt North London Heat and Power plant. This network will be crucial to operating low carbon homes, with all new residences connected to it. This connection will result in an impressive 92% reduction in residents’ carbon footprint for heating compared to individual gas boilers. In embracing a circular economy approach, Meridian Water will excavate and re-use 200,000 cubic meters of earthworks material onsite, minimising waste and optimising resource use. This commitment reflects the project’s dedication to sustainable development. The delivery of Meridian Water seizes the opportunity to create positive environmental impacts. New open spaces within the community and improved access to the Canalside contribute to enhancing ecology and overall greening of the site. Notably, the demolition of old warehouses, known as The Drumsheds, was executed sustainably by local Enfield contractor Greater London Demolition. Through the Enfield Excess Materials Exchange website, 98% of the materials from the demolition were diverted from landfills, showcasing a responsible approach to material reuse. Salvaged scrap materials also found a second life on set in a local film studio, embodying the project’s commitment to sustainability and resource efficiency. Meridian Water not only prioritises environmental sustainability but also integrates economic opportunities, social inclusivity, and community well-being.