TfL owned land at Cockfosters tube station to become 350-home car free development

Government consent has green lit plans to develop TfL land at Cockfosters Tube station in north London as a 350-home car-free development.

TfL is required by the GLA Act to seek the consent of the Secretary of State for the disposal of land used for its operational purposes. TfL first requested permission in 2021 to offer a 250-year lease on land currently used for car parking by the station, but this was denied by the then Secretary of State. 

Plans for the new development can go ahead now that the new Government has given consent. This is part of TfL’s work to support the building of new affordable homes across London through identifying appropriate sites to build on.

The proposed 1.36-hectare Cockfosters development, which was granted planning permission by Enfield Council in February 2022, will deliver around 350 new homes next to Cockfosters station which sits at the northern end of the Piccadilly line. Forty per cent of the homes will be affordable and station car parking options, including for Blue Badge holders, will be retained at the station.

The scheme will also deliver new commercial space improvements to the local area around the station and provide increased operational space for TfL. The designs also improve public access to nearby Trent Park and the London Outer Orbital Path and have been designed to provide around 4,200 sqm of publicly accessible open space for the local community, with the new trees and greenery replacing much of the current hard surface.

Work will now progress to ensure that the development can begin in the coming years, including updating the designs in response to the latest fire safety requirements and liaising with the local council planning authority on any changes needed.

Places for London, TfL’s property company, is working on multiple projects across London and the proposals at Cockfosters will contribute towards its target of starting construction of 20,000 homes, including 50 per cent affordable housing, by 2031.

Work has already started on sites across London for more than 4,300 homes and, as part of Places for London’s property programme, more than 1,000 homes have now been completed. This key milestone will be built on in the coming years as developments at Kidbrooke, Wembley Park, Bollo Lane, Barkingside, Southall and Nine Elms complete, providing new housing close to Tube stations.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said, “After the previous government refused to approve the plans, I’m delighted that the new government has given us the green light to progress exciting plans for new homes at Cockfosters station.

“Building homes right next to public transport connections is a key part of our plans to deliver the high-quality homes Londoners need.

“This important project will deliver new commercial space, increase green space and, most importantly, it will provide the affordable housing that I have pledged to deliver for Londoners.

“I look forward to continuing working with the Government to build a better, fairer and more prosperous London for everyone.”

Graeme Craig, Director and Chief Executive of Places for London, said, “We are delighted that we are now able to make progress with our plans at Cockfosters. We look forward to working across the capital with the Government and the Mayor as we progress the plans to deliver the homes that London urgently needs.”

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said, “This Government is committed to getting Britain building and working with local leaders to boost regional growth. I’m delighted to finally unblock this important project to kickstart the development of hundreds of much needed new homes in Enfield.”