Policy information sourced from Enfield’s Edmonton Leeside Area Action Plan

EL6 The Central Spine and Central Spine Corridor

Part A: Design

The Council will work with its partners and stakeholders to implement the Central Spine and maximise connectivity across Meridian Water. The route of the Central Spine will be within the Central Spine Corridor shown in Figure 5.1.

The identification of the route of the Central Spine within the Corridor shown in Figure 5.1 and its detailed design will be set out in a detailed planning application as well as in a new Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document. The route and the detailed design of the Central Spine will be developed to take account of third party land interests as far as possible.

In order to ensure the delivery of the Central Spine, permission will not be granted for development that would or could prejudice or interfere with the delivery of this critical infrastructure.

The Central Spine should comprise a spine route across Meridian Water and be navigable along its length by pedestrians and cyclists, with clear, safe and direct pedestrian and cycle provision. The Central Spine should be accessible by vehicular traffic between Glover Drive in the west and Harbet Road in the east. The Central Spine will include a crossing over the River Lee Navigation Canal.

Development proposals that include any land within the corridor shown in Figure 5.1 must have regard to the guidance in the Masterplan SPD once prepared and where relevant must:

  • Support the delivery of a continuous link route across Meridian Water and beyond;
  • Incorporate the Central Spine in the design;
  • Actively contribute to enable the delivery of the Central Spine, through design, layout, orientation and facilitation;
  • Prioritise the route as the primary route for orientation, navigation and connectivity at Meridian Water;
  • Show how other routes provide connectivity to the Central Spine and enable conPart C: The Central Spine as an Infrastructure Corridornectivity within and beyond Meridian Water;
  • Demonstrate how safe and convenient access to the station across the A1055/ Meridian Way can be improved in line with the growth proposed;
  • Be led by a public realm and landscaping approach to ensure a sufficient quality of development;
  • Allow for the accommodation of meanwhile uses and temporary activities;
  • Prioritise pedestrian and cycle users, wherever practical and feasible; and
  • Provide clear and consistent signage along the entire route, including on-street markings.

Part B: The Central Spine as a Place for Interaction and Communities

The Central Spine will connect Meridian Water’s new neighbourhoods and play a key role in linking Meridian Water to the wider area, integrating with existing residents and communities.

Development proposals that include any land within the Corridor shown in Figure 5.1 must, where relevant:

  • Demonstrate how resident and employee access to supporting uses is maximised, including retail, health centres, open space and schools;
  • Show how the Central Spine is utilised as a key location for community infrastructure and the clustering of A-Class uses;
  • Ensure active frontages to the Central Spine route, on both its sides and, where the River Lee Navigation is crossed, to extend the activity around the corner plots to permit natural surveillance around and under the bridge;
  • Discourage the provision of car parking between the building frontage and the Central Spine, with the exception of on-street single-width parking;
  • Demonstrate a safe relationship with traffic on the Central Spine; and
  • Where appropriate and feasible, encourage evening use and activity, taking into account the amenity and safety of adjacent uses and residents

Part C: The Central Spine as an Infrastructure Corridor

The Central Spine will form a key route for essential infrastructure, including high speed broadband, decentralised energy, gas and electricity networks and other infrastructure.

Development proposals that include any land within the Corridor shown in Figure 5.1 must, where relevant:

  • Demonstrate how the Central Spine, as shown in the emerging Meridian Water masterplan, will act as the trunk route for servicing and subterranean infrastructure, including details of how the routes will positively and proactively connect to the Central Spine route and servicing on adjacent sites;
  • Show how the design will minimise disruption from future maintenance and road works, wherever possible using shared channels and space set away from the main highway in order to allow maintenance and servicing to take place without disrupting the highway network; and
  • Give consideration to the possibility of including the latest waste disposal systems, for both household and business waste collection.

This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy policies 37 and 38, and DMD 37.

For more information please see the Edmonton Leeside Area Action Plan