Work will soon start on the first homes in a £3.5billion development after getting the planning green light.

Enfield Council’s planning committee has given permission for the first phase of Meridian Water, agreeing to the construction of 725 homes, as well as retail space, play areas, a community centre and a new train station which will have the facilities to include the planned Crossrail 2.

The decision follows the announcement last month of Barratt and SEGRO as developers for the scheme, which the council hope will provide 10,000 homes and 6,700 jobs in Edmonton.

The plans are so large, the council have had to refer the plans up, and are waiting on the Greater London Authority to give the final go-ahead.

Cabinet member for housing and housing regeneration Cllr Ahmet Oykener said: “This is a huge leap forward for Enfield and a gigantic step towards making Meridian Water a reality.

“We can now get boots on the ground and start to turn our vision into a reality. This is a hugely exciting time and this transformational project will make a huge contribution towards tackling the shortage of housing in our borough.”