Flood restraint barrier at Land Opposite 1A And 1B Towpath Road, Edmonton, London N18

The site

The site is beside the River Lee Navigation, within Meridian Water and outside the Strategic Infrastructure Works application boundary.

“The application site is located to the east of the River Lee Navigation alongside Towpath Road and southwest of Anthony Way. It sits within the Meridian Water regeneration to the south of the recently constructed Central Spine Road and B1 bridge that traverses the Navigation consented as part of the Strategic Infrastructure Works (SIW) planning permission.”

“The image below shows the red line boundary of the SIW Planning Permission.”

Officer report

Earlier permission and history

Permission for the same barrier was granted in 2020 but lapsed after delays to the flood conveyance channel.

“The proposed works were previously granted planning permission in July 2020 under reference 20/00112/RE4. This permission lapsed on the 23 rd July 2023 because of delays in the completion of the Flood Conveyance Channel which was permitted under the Strategic Infrastructure Works planning permission reference 19/02717/RE3. As such the applicant is seeking a new consent for the works to ensure that the appropriate flood mitigation measures can be carried out.”

“The Flood Restraint Barrier is required as flood modelling for the scheme demonstrates that flood water displacement and compensation measures proposed across the MW Phase 2 and SIW sites result in an increase in flood levels south of the Central Spine Road. This results in increased flood depths on Towpath Road. The mitigation strategy in the FRA requires a 170m long Flood Restraint Barrier that would extend approximately 170m in length south of the Central Spine Road.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because updated modelling showed the barrier was necessary to address increased flood depths along Towpath Road.

“This proposal seeks planning permission for a low-level flood barrier, approximately 140 metres in length, adjacent to Towpath Road within the Meridian Water area. The barrier, approximately 500mm in height, would be attached to the existing crash barrier to provide a continuous flood defence. Planning permission for the same development was granted in 2020 but has since lapsed.”

“This application comprises ancillary works to the Strategic Infrastructure Works (SIW) at Meridian Water, approved under planning permission ref. 19/02717/RE3. The proposal forms part of the wider flood mitigation strategy associated with the SIW and Phase 2 development. Updated flood modelling demonstrates that, without mitigation, flood depths along Towpath Road would increase. The provision of the barrier is therefore necessary to address this impact.”

Officer report

Flooding and access

The barrier would form part of wider flood mitigation, while conditions would maintain pedestrian access to the towpath.

“The proposed flood barrier forms part of the overall flood mitigation measures that have been identified as part of the wider SIW PP which included a comprehensive package of earthworks and flood alleviation measures. As this part of the site falls outside of the SIW application boundary, the proposal requires full planning consent.”

“The proposal would have no impact on access for vehicles along Towpath Road. The pedestrian access currently at the north end of the site would be closed by the Flood Barrier with a new access to be provided as part of the SIW works (currently underway). In order to ensure there is no disruption to pedestrian access a condition has been imposed to ensure access to the Towpath is maintained.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Environment Agency and council consultees raised no objections, subject to conditions, and earlier towpath concerns were addressed.

“Environment Agency: No objections, subject to the inclusion of a planning condition requiring the development to be carried out in accordance with the flood risk assessment updated and submitted with the application.”

“Towpath Width The Canal and Rivers Trust (CRT) have raised concerns with the retention of the vehicular barrier and recommended that in the longer-term, alternative solutions for the flood defence barrier and removal of the existing vehicular barrier, to improve the towpath and public realm in this area in accordance with Policy EL21 of the Edmonton Leeside AAP.”

Officer report

Public responses

Thirty neighbouring addresses were notified twice, and no comments were received.

“The Council carried out consultation on the application, including notification letters to 30 neighbouring addresses on 18/09/2024 and again on 30/04/2026 on revised FRA and plans. No comments have been received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Planning Decisions Manager introduced the application and highlighted its key aspects.

The committee vote

Members voted 11 in favour, with none against and no abstentions.

“The proposal having been put to the vote; Members voted:”

Minutes

The decision

The committee agreed delegated authority to grant permission subject to conditions and finalise their wording.

“That the Director of Planning and Building Control be granted delegated authority to GRANT planning permission subject to conditions. That the Director of Planning and Building Control be granted delegated authority to finalise the wording of the conditions to cover the matters in the Recommendation section of this report.”

Minutes