New Cat Hill homes plans revealed (From Enfield Independent)

New Cat Hill homes plans in Enfield revealed by developer L&Q

3:33pm Monday 18th June 2012 in News By David Hardiman, Reporter

A developer refused permission to build hundreds of homes on a former university site has revealed amended plans as it starts another bid to win approval.

Housing association L&Q says it has changed proposals for the development on the former Middlesex University campus in Cat Hill to address concerns by campaigners – including scrapping 18 flats from the top two storeys of a building facing the roundabout.

The firm was denied the chance to redevelop the site by Enfield Council’s planning committee in March, after a campaign by hundreds of locals who argued the plan would damage wildlife and cause traffic problems.

But L&Q says the new plans for 232 homes will protect a species of threatened newt, keep a historic oak tree and avoid a pond used by wildlife altogether. By reducing the height of some of the apartments, it argues the existing trees surrounding the site will obscure the development from view.

More than 50 of the proposed would be available for a shared ownership scheme to help first-time buyers, and 28 would be available for rent, with priority being given to people on the council’s housing waiting list.

Opponents of the plan held a 67-hour vigil outside the site in November, and have won the support of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Enfield Southgate MP David Burrowes and Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers.

The plans are being exhibited at Ashmole Academy in Cecil Road tonight between 7-9.45pm.