Hundreds of homes will be protected from flooding thanks to wetland and river restoration projects across the borough.

Enfield Council has secured more than £1 million to carry out work in three areas – Broomfield Park, Town Park and Albany Park – that will reduce the risk of floods and improve the environment for both people and wildlife.

Under the schemes, Turkey Brook will be widened and diverted into Albany Park, enhancing wildlife habitats and reducing the flood risk for more than 200 properties.

The other two locations will see the creation of combined wetland and flood storage areas, cutting the risk of flooding for around 200 properties in Enfield Town.

The work is needed because the geography of the borough increases the risk of flooding in certain areas, particularly in the Lee Valley, which was once an area of marshland.

This has been exacerbated by the spread of urban development in the borough in recent years, increasing run-off from hard surfaces.

According to the council’s report, storing excess water in parks and open spaces during heavy rainfall is one of the best ways of reducing flood risk.

The council has secured £900,000 from the Government and the Greater London Authority to support the projects, which will be carried out over the next 18 months.

At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday (July 4), Haselbury councillor George Savva welcomed the news and said the Firs Farm wetland had been a “great asset to the area”.

He encouraged people to visit the Firs Farm wetlands summer festival on July 14, as they would be able to meet some of the volunteers who help make wetlands projects a success.