Enfield Council and NEAT Developments will deliver a 135-home scheme at Upton and Raynham Road in Edmonton, having unlocked its viability. Hill Group has been appointed to build the scheme.
The 100% affordable scheme will deliver much needed homes at council rents, 40% of which are family sized. Pre-contract works finished in autumn 2025, construction is expected to start on site April 2026 and complete in 2028, when residents will move in.
The Upton & Raynham scheme first received planning consent in March 2022 but, in line with all residential schemes in the country, was subject to significant build cost inflation and a first construction tender proving unviable. The new Building Safety Regulations also required a fundamental review of heights and design. Enfield Council engaged NEAT Developments to deliver a more cost-effective scheme and manage the project through optimisation, design development, planning (through a Section 73 Application), and procurement.
The original scheme, which offered 42 homes intended for sale and 26 units for shared ownership, was changed to one focused solely on affordable rent. Building heights were reduced, new fire safety compliant entrances were created and building design savings identified.
The new scheme has also facilitated a connection to the local Energetik heat network, which will deliver low-carbon heating and hot water to over 100 homes in the existing, nearby Scott House residential block.
These changes and a competitive construction contract have made the project viable again.
Cllr Ayten Guzel, Cabinet Member for Housing at Enfield Council commented: “We are delighted to be on site to deliver much needed council homes, despite the challenging environment for all housing developers. We are committed to providing high-quality services for Enfield residents, and we see a safe, warm and modern home as fundamental to improving the quality of life for each one of our council tenants. We look forward to continuing our professional relationship with NEAT Developments – collaboration has delivered the best of the public and private sectors – and I am very excited to see progress at Upton & Raynham this year.”
For NEAT Developments Youssef Kadiri, Managing Director, said: “In the face of a tough financial climate and the challenges of a constrained site near the North Circular Road, NEAT and Enfield Council have worked in tandem to unlock this critical development to provide high quality affordable and sustainable homes for local residents. For the NEAT team, several of whom started their careers in the public sector, it has been a highly rewarding experience and we are proud to have had such a positive impact.”
