A previous developer won permission in 2022 for a scheme which included 13 affordable units but the new site owner now says they are “not viable”, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

The new plans from Arish Contractors Ltd for the Grove Road site (credit Boyes Architectural Design Ltd)

A developer has submitted a fresh application for a 24-home scheme in New Southgate – minus the 13 affordable units that were previously pledged.

The new plans by Arish Contractors Ltd for Grove Road Church Hall in New Southgate, if approved, would see the vacant building demolished and 20 apartments and four maisonettes provided in a six-storey block built in its place.

However, the scheme proposes no affordable housing, with planning documents claiming the application is supported by a “robust viability assessment” which found the development was “unable to provide eight affordable housing flats” as would be required to meet the council’s 35% target.

The applicant claims “high build costs” as its justification for dodging affordable homes requirements.

A similar-sized scheme, but with 13 affordable units included, was previously proposed by developer Beverley Homes Ltd in 2022 and won approval the same year.

However, the developer later requested, unsuccessfully, for permission from Enfield Council to provide a financial contribution towards affordable housing instead – and ended up ditching the scheme entirely after failing to find a registered housing provider to take on the affordable units.

Now the new owner and developer of the site, Arish Contractors, is also proposing a financial offer in lieu of any affordable housing, which it claims is “not viable” on the Grove Road site.

It says each home “would meet and exceed the national minimum space standards” and that all habitable rooms would have a “good outlook”.

Of the apartment mix, eight would be one-bed, eleven would be two-bed and one would be a three-bed. Parking would be provided in the form of three on-site car parking spaces with electric vehicle charging points and cycle parking would also be provided.

Every apartment would have a balcony, with the exception of the ground floor which would have a terrace and garden area. All the maisonettes would have a private rear patio and front garden area.

The church hall building dates back to the 1950s but is said to be in a “poor state of disrepair” and of “little architectural merit”. Before closing, it was home to various community groups which have all since relocated.

More information on the scheme can be found via Enfield Council’s planning portal, using reference number 25/00372/FUL.

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