Enfield Council Acquires 127 Social Rent Homes as Vistry's Alma Estate Regeneration Enters Penultimate Phase

Enfield Council and Vistry have completed a series of agreements for the delivery of 127 new social rent homes at the Alma Estate regeneration in Ponders End, marking the commencement of Phase 2B — the penultimate phase of one of North London's largest estate renewal programmes.

Under the existing Development Agreement, Enfield Council was originally set to acquire 34 homes within Phase 2B. That commitment has now been expanded by a further 93 homes, comprising 46 units in Block A and 47 units in Block B, bringing the council's total acquisition within the phase to 127 social rent homes.

Phase 2B: 421 Homes Including 30% Affordable

Phase 2B will deliver 421 homes in total, split between 294 open-market units and 127 social rent homes — representing 30% of all homes delivered within the phase. The site is located adjacent to Ponders End Station, centred on South Street and Napier Road in Ponders End, Enfield EN3, within the Upper Lee Valley Opportunity Area.

The final phases of the Alma Estate regeneration — Phases 2B and 3 — secured planning approval from Enfield Council in 2025 and will deliver 723 mixed-tenure homes in total. The wider masterplan now totals 1,402 new homes, an increase from an earlier consent of 1,080 units following an uplift of 322 homes approved in 2025. Of the 1,402 homes across the full scheme, 444 are affordable, including 246 social rent units, 170 intermediate homes such as shared ownership, and 28 flexible affordable units.

The scheme's affordable housing requirements reflect local policy designating Alma Estate as a strategic regeneration location, with a minimum replacement of 717 existing homes required, of which at least 40% must be affordable.

Vistry and Enfield Council: A Broader Partnership

Kevin Delve, Managing Director of Vistry East London, said the agreements reflect the depth of the firms' working relationship across the borough.

"These agreements demonstrate the strength of our long-standing partnership with Enfield Council and our shared commitment to delivering much-needed affordable housing for local people. The acquisition of these 127 social rent homes within Phase 2B will help address housing need within the borough while providing certainty for the delivery of this important stage of the Alma regeneration. This builds on a strong track record of collaboration between Vistry and Enfield Council across a number of major housing and regeneration initiatives, including Alma, Meridian Water, New Avenue and our work alongside partners at North Middlesex University Hospital. Together, we are creating sustainable communities and delivering the homes that Enfield residents need."

Cllr Lee Chamberlain, Cabinet Member for Housing & Technology at Enfield Council, said the acquisition represents a meaningful step forward for local residents.

"This is really positive news for Enfield and another important step forward in the transformation of the Alma Estate. Bringing 127 social rent homes into Council ownership means more genuinely affordable homes for local people. The Alma Estate is one of Enfield's biggest regeneration projects and it is great to see the partnership between Enfield Council and Vistry continuing to deliver real benefits for the community. Alongside the new homes, the wider regeneration is creating better public spaces and community facilities, helping to deliver a neighbourhood where people can live, work and thrive for years to come."

The collaboration between Vistry and Enfield Council extends across several other significant projects in the borough. At Meridian Water, Meridian One is expected to deliver around 1,000 homes overall, while Meridian Two is delivering 274 affordable homes. Vistry is also working with partners to bring forward 306 affordable homes adjacent to North Middlesex University Hospital in Edmonton, including 152 social rent homes, on a complex brownfield site. The partnership has also previously delivered affordable housing at New Avenue.

Delivery to Date and Scheme Outlook

Vistry has delivered 679 homes on the Alma Estate to date, alongside new public realm at Station Square, retail space, a café and gym, a new medical centre, a replacement youth centre, and enhanced community facilities. The broader scheme includes up to 786 square metres of retail and café space and 2,591 square metres of community and leisure space.

The scheme's physical layout incorporates mid- to high-rise residential blocks organised around new streets and open space, with a green link connecting South Street and Napier Road providing pedestrian and cycle routes. Construction on the latest phases began in the first half of 2026, with overall completion of the scheme expected by around 2032.

The final phases will include larger family homes and wheelchair-accessible properties, as well as enhanced public realm, biodiversity improvements, and sustainable design features.

Sources

• Vistry Press Release — Enfield Council acquires 127 social rent homes as Vistry's Alma Estate regeneration enters penultimate phase (September 15, 2026)