Enfield Council’s £6bn development Meridian Water will aim to be net zero carbon by 2030 and will radically increase biodiversity and access to open green space.
The sustainability strategy for the project, which is recommended for adoption at Enfield Council’s 14 October cabinet meeting, also commits to using recycled material during construction, increase re-use and recycling rates after construction and provide homes that meet the highest health and building standards.
Active travel is prioritised with extensive cycle routes and the very low ratios of private car parking provision all have electric charging capabilities.
Overall, the project, which will provide 10,000 homes and 6,000 jobs, will make a huge contribution to Enfield Council’s Climate Action Plan which aims to make the Council carbon neutral by 2030 and for the borough to be carbon neutral by 2040.
Eventually Meridian Water will reduce the borough’s carbon emissions through effective planning and design, helping to mitigate the devastating impact of climate change across the globe.
Enfield Council’s Leader, Cllr Nesil Caliskan, said: “Council’s have an obligation to do the right thing when providing services and facilities for residents and Meridian Water will deliver for Enfield in numerous ways.
“Not only will it play a huge role in tackling the housing crisis in our borough, but it will also play a significant role in helping in the fight against climate change.
“The very fact that such a large project can not only be delivered as a carbon neutral scheme, but will be actively reducing the borough’s carbon emissions, shows once again the value of local authorities taking the lead and overseeing major regeneration projects.
“Enfield Council can be trusted to do the right thing both by its residents but also form a social responsibility perspective. We want to deliver thousands of homes for residents but in doing so we want to make a contribution to the wellbeing of generations to come.”
The Meridian Water Environmental Sustainability Strategy sets out progressive objectives for all projects over the timeline of the project, to increase ambition as industry capability, technological innovation and regulations also increase.
It stresses that this can only be delivered with a collaboration between the community, future residents, developers, contractors, designers, engineers, suppliers, stakeholders, utilities and all parts of the council working together.