Enfield Island Village
Enfield Island Village, Enfield
A ‘flagship development of regional significance,’ according to the government at the time of its inception, built on a 100-acre flood plain beside the River Lea
Occupying the former site of the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Island Village was built from 1997 to 2003 by Fairview New Homes between the River Lea (or Lee) and the Cattlegate Flood Relief Channel. Some original buildings have been retained and the design incorporates a network of waterways, creating a habitat for waterfowl.
There are distinct neighbourhoods within the village, each with its own architectural variations. The council initially imposed a limit on the number of homes that could be built before shops and community services were provided, but this was later withdrawn. The developers also increased housing density from their original proposals, with a higher proportion of social accommodation.
Enfield Island Village featured prominently in a 2000 investigation by the BBC TV programme Panorama into housing developments on contaminated land. It reported that a survey had found traces of toxic chemicals and metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and copper.
The soil has been ‘remediated’ by capping with a layer of clay to prevent contaminants leaching to the surface but there have been stories of children suffering dermatological problems after playing in their back gardens, and residents have been warned not to dig more than three feet down.
There was further disquiet when Enfield’s chief planning officer left to join Fairview. The borough subsequently convened a special panel to investigate the various allegations surrounding the project, which were refuted as “unsubstantiated rumours.” However, “robust and permanent monitoring” of the site was recommended for the future and the report was narrowly adopted by the council.
Later there were issues with the governance of the Enfield Island Village Trust – and in 2014 the Charity Commission stepped in to conduct an investigation. In 2016 a new governing document was adopted and a new board of trustees was elected.