Policy information sourced from Enfield’s Edmonton Leeside Area Action Plan
EL5 Community Facilities in Meridian Water
Development proposals must ensure that community facilities in Meridian Water:
- Serve the local population and cater for the needs of both the new and existing communities;
- Are suitably located to be easily accessible on foot or by bicycle and with good accessibility for all levels of personal mobility and by the new and existing communities;
- Are where possible located in the town centre, or a community hub, to enable a well-connected neighbourhood;
- Support co-location and multifunctional uses so that they can accommodate a variety of different uses; and
- Support community groups or organisations to deliver and manage various community facilities.
Education
The growth of new residential areas requires the provision of sufficient education facilities at Meridian Water. Development proposals must be supported by adequate provision for new primary schools, secondary schools, and early years facilities at a level consistent with expected child yield and in locations accessible to the homes in that phase of development. The Council’s strong expectation and preference is for the need to be met within the Meridian Water boundary. The calculation of pupil places required will be on the basis of child yield according to the quantum, tenure and mix of housing proposed.
Due to the high density of development at Meridian Water, innovative design of buildings and outdoors space may be necessary to make efficient use of land. This might include fully exploring multiple storey buildings, multiple use games areas and design options such as locating play space on the roof.
Meeting the need for outdoor sports pitches through off-site provision should be fully considered. Outdoor sports pitches must be provided in immediate proximity to the school where possible, while any off-site provision must be conveniently and safely accessible.
Within Meridian Water, schools should be located so as to be accessible for pupils whilst considering the movements and traffic flow of other land uses in the area.
During out-of-school hours, the Council will support the efficient use of educational space for community use, provision for sports and social activities and places of religious worship.
The co-location of early years facilities with other community uses (for example a library, hall, community centre or school) will also be supported.
Healthcare
The Council will continue to work with its partners to ensure that appropriate modern healthcare facilities are delivered in locations accessible to the housing in that phase.
The calculation of healthcare facility floorspace requirements will be on the basis of the quantum and mix of housing proposed, and consultation with the relevant primary healthcare organisations.
The primary healthcare facilities should be easily accessible for all Meridian Water residents and preferably located in the new town centre or at a community hub, or close to a transport node.
Development proposals may be expected to make a financial contribution towards provision of primary healthcare facilities.
The potential for co-location of health services may allow local residents more flexible access to services.
This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy policies 7, 8 and 11, DMD policies 16, 17 and 18 and London Plan Policies 3.16, 3.17 and 3.18.
For more information please see the Edmonton Leeside Area Action Plan