The Meridian Grand wedding and banqueting venue is seeking to build a 144-bedroom hotel next to the North Circular, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter

Meridian Grand hotel plans (credit Dexter Moren Associates) — Plans for the Meridian Grand hotel in Edmonton (credit Dexter Moren Associates)

A new 144-bedroom hotel in Edmonton has been recommended for approval.

The proposals, which will be considered by Enfield Council’s planning committee next Tuesday (24th), would see a partial demolition of the existing three-storey Meridian Grand building in Advent Way and the erection of an ten-storey extension.

According to a council report prepared ahead of next week’s meeting, the hotel would provide on-site accommodation for guests attending events at Meridian Grand, a popular wedding venue, and would “respond to an identified shortage of hotel beds in the borough”.

The applicant, Meridian Grand Limited, also wishes to make alterations inside and outside the existing building, which is next to the North Circular Road, and facilitate 204 car parking spaces.

In its report, the council notes the area “is not in a location identified as suitable for tall buildings”. Planning officers also say the development will increase car traffic due its poor public transport links.

Nevertheless, the council’s urban design officer argues in the report that these impacts are acceptable “given the surrounding industrial context and emerging Meridian Water development”. Despite its height not meeting local criteria, they conclude “the design itself responds positively to its surroundings”.

The scheme could see the creation of 71 full-time equivalent jobs when the hotel is up and running, as well as construction work in the building process.

The council’s planning staff also say the developer will support the local area through a Section 106 (S106) agreement, which carry obligations to provide the infrastructure, services or financial contributions needed to make a development acceptable for a local authority.

Despite the drawbacks over height and road traffic, council officers believe the plans will create a net benefit for the area.

In their report, council planning officers conclude: “Overall, the proposal delivers a high-quality hotel development that supports an established events venue, delivers significant socio-economic and environmental benefits, and is acceptable in technical and environmental terms.”

They add that “the scheme would generate significant socio-economic benefits” and the overall benefits “carry significant positive weight in the planning balance”.

Avison Young, a “strategic real estate partner” headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with London-based operations, is the agency behind the development.

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.