The development would have utilised a vacant former gasholder site near the North Circular, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

The vision for the new tower block in New Southgate (credit pH+) — A vision for the new tower block in New Southgate (credit pH+)

Plans for hundreds of homes in New Southgate have been dropped by a developer.

City and Suburban Homes won approval in December 2021 to build 182 homes, in blocks up to 19 storeys high, on the site of a former gasholder in Station Road near the North Circular, with 30% of the homes set to be classed as affordable.

However, Enfield Council has now confirmed the application has been withdrawn.

City and Suburban Homes was approached to clarify the reason for the withdrawal, but did not respond.

The site, which is currently vacant, previously contained the last remaining gasholder that once formed part of New Southgate Gas Works.

Matt Burn, a housing campaigner from Better Homes Enfield, said he believed the reason for the withdrawal was “viability issues”. He pointed out the site had been earmarked for housing in 2010 as part of the council’s core strategy, and again in 2011 as part of a New Southgate masterplan.

Matt added: “It is now 14-15 years later and not a single home has been built, and the council now does not expect anything on the site until at least 2030.”

Asked how the news affects the council’s ability to meet its housebuilding targets, a spokesperson said: “We are aware that the planning application for the old gas site in New Southgate has been withdrawn. This site is still earmarked to be used mainly for housing in the future, as part of our proposed Local Plan.

“Even though development on this site will probably start after 2030, this will not impact our goals and plans to build enough family-sized affordable homes in Enfield.

“Our proposed Local Plan explains how we will provide the homes people need, using many different sites backed by solid evidence and planning.

“We are still strongly committed to growing in a sustainable way and making sure our residents have the homes they need.”

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.