Policy information sourced from Enfield Core Strategy 2010-2025

29 FLOOD MANAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE

The Council will continue to work closely with key partners such as the Environment Agency, Thames Water and British Waterways to maintain and enhance the Borough’s existing flood defence infrastructure in the medium to long term. The Council will support flood risk management projects, (including the Salmon’s Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme), and will require that opportunities for multiple benefits are maximised (for example, resulting in increased biodiversity, access to waterways and recreation).

As details of projects become available, the Core Strategy and/or other development plan documents as appropriate will be reviewed in consultation with the Environment Agency, to ensure their successful delivery (for example by safeguarding the required land). Proposals that compromise the function of existing, or planned, flood risk management infrastructure will normally be resisted.

Opportunities for removal of culverts, river restoration and naturalisation should be considered as part of any development adjacent to a watercourse. Additional culverting and development of river corridors will be resisted. Development behind existing defences will be expected to reduce residual flood risk and works to open spaces within the floodplain or adjacent to watercourses elsewhere should explore opportunities for floodwater storage, river restoration and wetland creation. There may be particular opportunities for such projects in the Lee tributaries.

Innovative responses to flood risk will be encouraged and explored as part of the transformation of Meridian Water and Central Leeside.

For more information please see the Core Strategy 2010-2025