Client
Location
Enfield
REMIT
RGP prepared a Transport Assessment (in partnership with Civil Engineering consultancy Colin Toms & Partners) in support of the regeneration of the ‘New Avenue Estate’, nr Southgate, within the London Borough of Enfield. The estate formed part of an exciting and ambitious housing estate renewal and investment programme led by London Borough of Enfield (LBE), working in conjunction with development partners to secure the delivery of new housing in the Borough.
BACKGROUND
The New Avenue Estate Regeneration Programme, currently under construction, will see the existing residential blocks demolished and redeveloped. RGP’s Transport Assessment (TA) supported the submission of a detailed planning application for the proposed regeneration of the site to provide 412 new homes (including 140 affordable), a multi-purpose nursery/community centre, community amenity and recreational spaces and associated parking provision. The approved proposals provided a much-welcomed new estate layout to quality design standards and will help to create a vibrant environment that will bring social, economic and environmental benefits to the estate and wider community.
The technical and policy approach that underpinned the assessment presented were scoped and agreed at length with the relevant Highway Officers at the LBE and Transport for London (TfL) and the Greater London Authority (GLA).
RGP’S APPROACH
The key approach to the development was to promote low parking provision. In discussion with the Developer, RGP sought to promote a constrained level of car parking provision across the site, including the provision of 330 car parking spaces at a ratio of 0.80 spaces per dwelling. At that time, this level of provision was contrary to the policies of The London Plan for sites within lower PTAL zones (the site was situated in PTAL areas of between 1 and 2) and was initially met with opposition from Highways Officers. RGP sought to overcome these concerns with focussed enhancements of the sustainability of the site, including a detailed assessment of pedestrian and cycle infrastructure (PERS and CERS Audits) and the formulation of a comprehensive package of pedestrian and cycle improvements. This enhanced links to the local town centre facilities and public transport connections, including to the underground.
With improved safety through design, the introduction of enhanced pedestrian and cycle routes throughout the scheme and local area the scheme was overwhelmingly more attractive than existing. These measures, together with a programme of layered initiatives developed through a robust Travel Plan will assist to shape future travel habits (of both existing and prospective residents) and thus the regeneration of the area as a whole.
