THE REGENERATION project for Ponders End has won the council a prestigious London Planning Award.

Enfield Council's plan to redevlop parts of the area, one of the most deprived in the borough, won Best Conceptual Project at an awards ceremony hosted by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson on Monday March 29.

The project, called Framework for Change beat Battersea Power Station, Waterloo City Square and the Deptford Creekside Charrett and was praised by the judges for having a pragmatic and community-based approach to regeneration.

The scheme includes plans to raze the former gasholder site to the ground and instal an academy of 1900 pupils in its place. The former Middlesex University site will become a mixed-use development, "primarily" housing, Ponders End recreation ground will be refurbished and land near the waterfront opened to the public, and more development of the Brimsdown estate.

The regeneration of Ponders End has also won £30,000 funding and design advice from the Mayor of London.

The annual London Planning Awards are jointly run by the Mayor of London, London First, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and London Councils, are designed to recognise planning professionals and organisations.

Sue Foster OBE, Enfield Council’s Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise said: “We’re delighted. We commissioned urban designers, Studio Egret West to develop a masterplan for the area and it has proved to be a very exciting and forward looking set of proposals. "Local people have told us what they want to see in the area and the improvements we’re making to the park are in direct response to the consultation. We have now begun working with local traders to revitalise the High Street.”

If you’d like to receive regular updates on what’s happening in Ponders End you email nick.fletcher@enfield.gov.uk or call 020 8379 3885 to be added to a mailing list.