THE £23 million strategy to redevelop Ponders End High Street was given the green light by councillors at meeting last week.

Enfield Council wants to completely transform the area – one of the most deprived in the borough – with a range of major building projects and initiatives, and the overall plan was agreed by members of the cabinet last Wednesday.

The proposals include a compulsory purchase of buildings between number 188 and 216 on the street – including the police station and former Beef and Barrel pub – which will then be turned into a mixed-use development, primarily for shops and other businesses.

Ponders End Park is also being refurbished, with consultation already underway with residents. The council hope that the regeneration of the park – which will be the first project that work will start on – will act as a catalyst for investment and be a visual indicator that change is happening.

The plan also includes the redevelopment of the former Middlesex University site which, although privately owned, will be expected to fit in with the High Street strategy to gain planning permission.

It is expected the site will mainly be turned into houses.

Cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Del Goddard, said: “I am delighted we have agreed the Ponders End High Street regeneration strategy because regenerating Ponders End will help transform the area and provide a significant boost to the borough¹s economy.

“We want to improve transport links in the areas and make it much more attractive for retailers, developers and shoppers to visit.

“This strategy will help us do exactly that and benefit Ponders End for years. It will also make a real difference to the lives of the people living there.”

The Ponders End regeneration project won a prestigious London Planning Award in April last year, and was given £30,000 from the Mayor of London towards the development.

More detailed plans are expected to go before the cabinet next month, before a long process of planning applications and consultation begins.

Funding has already been secured for a £27 million new building for the Oasis Academy Hadley school on the site of the former gasworks in South Street.