Ponders End estate to be demolished, council reveals (From Enfield Independent)

Ponders End Alma estate to be demolished, council reveals

5:39pm Wednesday 11th July 2012 in News By Hermione Wright

More than 700 homes in Ponders End will be demolished to make way for a £100million regeneration project.

The Alma estate, which consists of four tower blocks and a parade of shops, will be knocked down to make way for 1,000 new homes and shops as part of a major project which is expected to take up to ten years to complete.

According to Enfield Council, tenants will either be rehoused in a new home on the estate or in other council accommodation while the works are underway.

Estate leaseholders of properties however will be bought out by the council at market rate.

The estate has been a source of controversy for many years, with tenants complaining about the poor quality of 717 homes in the towers.

At this stage, it is believed the maisonettes and shops in South Street as well as the Alma Road block, the Napier Road block, the Scotland Green Road block and the homes in Fairfield Close will be knocked down to make way for the new homes and shops.

The Enfield Independent understands 60 per cent of the new homes will be private, with 40 per cent consisting of affordable housing.

Current proposals reveal that 50 per cent of the properties would consist of three to four bedroom homes - more than double the current amount in the blocks.

Councillor Ahmet Oykener, cabinet member for housing, said: "This is a historic decision which will significantly improve the quality of life for residents living on the estate and have a huge impact on a deprived part of our borough.

"We have listened to what our residents have said and responded to their wishes, the estate as it currently exists does not meet the high standards of accommodation our council tenants expect and deserve and demolition and rebuilding is the best option for the people living there, the community and the borough as a whole.”

According to Mr Oykener, the council will work closely with tenants to ensure they are supported throughout the regeneration process.

Despite today’s news, Enfield Council is due to formally confirm the decision during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, July 18.