Enfield Council has paused Phase 3 of the New Avenue housing project due to new fire safety regulations requiring a second staircase in buildings over 18 metres. These regulations were put in place following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 to improve fire safety. The decision was revealed during the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Panel meeting on Wednesday, 26 November 2025.
The New Avenue development, a partnership with Countryside Properties since 2014, had already secured planning consent in May 2018 and a revised application in March 2022, increasing the number of homes to 502. Phases 1 and 2 are either complete or near completion. Phase 2 is around 97% complete with the first affordable units already handed over.
According to the Housing Delivery Programme report discussed at the meeting, the pause is a direct result of the design of the blocks being impacted by the 18m second staircase requirements. The council appointed Countryside Properties as its Development Partner in 2014 with the Development Agreement signed in September 2017.
Phase 3 was expected to deliver 219 homes. To deliver a viable scheme Cabinet has agreed to the acquisition of 159 currently consented private sale homes (to be converted to social rent), which would be grant funded as part of the Affordable Homes Programme. This acquisition will change the overall mix of housing types in the New Avenue development, increasing the proportion of social rent homes. A revised planning and development programme will be agreed aligning with our grant claim requirements. The key milestone dates for the Council remain as before with start on site prior to March 2026 and completion by March 2028.
Countryside is currently redesigning the phase, and a Section 73 application is anticipated to approve the changes. The council aims to start on site prior to March 2026 and complete the phase by March 2028.