The council wants to release the river from its concrete channel to reduce flood risk but the Friends of Arnos Park oppose the plan, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Arnos Park and (inset) a project to naturalise a river at another Enfield park

Over 700 residents have appealed to Enfield Council to halt plans for a divisive flood defence scheme in Arnos Park.

The council said it will hold a series of engagement events to address the concerns raised, followed by a full public consultation.

The council’s watercourses team has put forward a plan to restore the “polluted” Pymmes Brook, which runs through the park, by releasing it from its current, concrete channel and meandering it to make it more “natural”. The goal is to reduce flooding downstream and improve water quality.

However, members of the Friends of Arnos Park and the Arnos Park Preservation Society do not believe it is a good proposal. Last year over 700 residents signed a petition objecting to the plan.

A member of both groups, Matthew Pierce, said he believed it would “split the park into two” and block “sightlines” creating closed sections.

He said: “Local people are unhappy with the proposal as we believe it will split the park in two, reducing space for ball games, picnics etcetera and blocking sightlines in the park, making it less safe for women.

“We also doubt how much of a flood risk Pymmes Brook actually is and think that any wildlife benefits will be severely limited by heavy pollution.”

The residents highlighted issues with trees and reeds getting overgrown and not being managed on other river schemes such as Turkey Brook in Albany Park and Firs Farm Wetlands in Winchmore Hill.

“How can they afford to maintain this new river?” asked Matthew.

In contrast, volunteer-run community group Pymmes Brookers said it supported any proposal to restore the health of Pymmes Brook and believed the scheme would benefit both the river and the community.

Matthew said residents would like to see work done to improve the wildlife habitats and tackle the pollution but many did not think this was the solution.

A council spokesperson said: “The council is currently in conversation with the Friends of Arnos Park, Arnos Park Preservation Society, and several other local community groups.

“A community meeting will be scheduled this summer which forms part of a series of early engagement events that will help the council to shape the proposal, and address concerns raised by the local park users and residents. A full public consultation is planned to be carried out later in the year.

“The council is designing the scheme based on community feedback, with the key aim of including restoration of natural river habitat and reducing flood risk to hundreds of residents downstream of Arnos Park, including in Edmonton where there is a greater risk of flooding.

“The overall aim of the proposal is to design a scheme that delivers significant benefits to residents and wildlife, while minimising any potential negative impacts.”

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