18 Enfield Lock Conservation Area

18.1 Introduction

18.1.1 The Enfield Lock Conservation Area includes the Lea Navigation, its lock, the terraces of houses (called Government Row) between the River Lea and the Lea Navigation, the Canals and Rivers Trust depot and offices to the west of the River Lea, and the adjoining meadows as far as the dismantled railway line. The Lea Valley Walk, a 50 mile long-distance footpath from Luton in Bedfordshire to the east end of London, follows the Lea Navigation, and is crossed east-west by the London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP) long-distance path, which follows Turkey Brook within Enfield Borough.

18.1.2 The Royal Small Arms Factory (RSAF) was located on the eastern side of the river, and was operational from 1812 to 1988. Some of the RSAF’s buildings were listed, and these have been incorporated into the development of Enfield Island Village, a residential-led development that replaced the RSAF.

18.1.3 Figure 18.1 overleaf sets out the key issues affecting the Conservation Area and these include:

the strong linear form of the Lee Navigation and the listed terrace known as Government Row form one of the most memorable parts of the Conservation Area;
the lock itself forms the heart of the area. However, the derelict Rifles public house nearby detracts from the area. The site has planning permission for redevelopment as residential;
the area is subject to the risk of flooding. Any future development will need to address the flood risk in line with higher level policy requirements;
the pedestrian / cycle route through the Rifles site is an important connection, particularly for the residents of Enfield Island Village which is poorly connected to the wider area;
the public realm around the lock is needlessly dominated by kerbs and road markings: there is an opportunity to make this a friendlier shared-surface that is more sympathetic to the character of the Conservation Area; and
some of the trees and vegetation to the south of the lock are overgrown, and this obscures views along the routes connecting to the open spaces to the south.

18.1.4 The Conservation Area Management Plan for Enfield Lock is in the process of being updated.

Key plan showing location of Southbury Station Area within overall NEE area

Policy Context for Chapter 18: Enfield Lock Conservation Area
London Plan	Policy 7.4 Local Character Policy 7.4 Public Realm Policy 7.8: Heritage Assets and Archaeology
Upper Lee Valley Opportunity Area Planning Framework (July 2013)	Objective 8
Core Strategy (Adopted Nov 2010)	Policy 30: Maintaining and improving the quality of the built environment Policy 40: North East Enfield
Adopted Development Management Document (November 2014)	Policy DMD37: Achieving high quality and design-led development Policy DMD44: Preserving and enhancing heritage assets
Other Sources	National Planning Policy Framework National Planning Policy Guidance Enfield Lock Conservation Area Character Appraisal (Drury McPherson), 2013 Lee Valley Regional Park Framework Cycle Routes in Enfield, Oct 2013

Figure 18.1: Enfield Lock Conservation Area- Key Issues

Policy 18.1: Enfield Lock Conservation Area

In addition to the recommendations set out in the Enfield Lock Conservation Area Management Plan, the Council will develop a scheme for public realm improvements around the lock that will:

create a more pedestrian friendly environment through a shared surface treatment that is sensitive to the character of the Conservation Area;
improve signage to the long-distance footpaths, potentially as part of a public art project;
improve maintenance of trees and other vegetation, so that views along footpaths are not obscured by overgrowth;
ensure that the development of the Rifles pub site incorporates a positive east-west pedestrian and cycle link; and
ensure that the development of the Rifles pub site provides positive building frontages overlooking the waterfront.

View northwards over the Lea Navigation from Smeaton Road Bridge	View across the basin in Enfield Island Village
The Lock itself is the natural heart of the Conservation Area

Figure 18.2: Enfield Lock Conservation Area- Policy Principles

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