North London masterplan

A £1.3 billion (€1.6 billion) 82ha project in the UK's capital will create a mixed-use waterfront community in what is said to be one of London's largest regeneration and investment opportunities.

Enfield Council has unveiled a masterplan for the regeneration of an area alongside North London's Lee Valley Regional Park - to be known as Meridian Water.

The plan, developed by design, environment and energy consultancy LDA Design, sets out a framework for building 5,000 new homes and creating 3,000 new jobs, alongside three schools and a range of supporting community facilities, a new high street retail core and parkland landscape.

LDA said Meridian Water had been designed to create a new opportunity for canal and riverside living in London by revitalising the valley's waterways, improving parkland and recreational space, and reconnecting the area with the resources of the Lee Valley Regional Park.

A central causeway will serve as a structural backbone that will connect working and living environments, facilities and open spaces, and link Edmonton Green to the Lee Valley Regional Park and beyond.

With potential to become one of the UK's largest eco-developments, the proposals are said to set ambitious targets for sustainability that include plans for a comprehensive district heating network supplied by waste heat.

Meridian Water will also deliver improvements to public transport that include a centrally-located transport hub linked with Angel Road Station, redirected bus routes and proposals for improved rail services on the line connecting the area to Liverpool Street and Stratford.

Public consultation on the masterplan will run until 3 August.

Enfield Council's cabinet member for business and regeneration, Cllr Del Goddard, said, "This will be one of the biggest development opportunities in the UK, and the whole project will provide a massive boost to Enfield, London and the South East."

Colin James, director of urban design at LDA Design, said, "With an emphasis on sustaining strong business and economic growth, these plans are set to revitalise the site and create opportunities to attract new investment and facilities with a particular focus on green industries."

He added, "As well as ensuring the proposal is commercially viable, we have taken inspiration from the waterways of the Lower Lee Valley as the plans have developed, and the aim here is to give people the experience of waterside living and working while being in easy reach of the rest of the city through better transport links."