Two of the borough’s MPs have slammed plans to build a 26-storey tower block in the middle of Enfield Town.

Enfield Southgate MP Bambos Charalambous and Enfield North MP Feryal Clark warned the current plans would harm the character and heritage of the town and called for them to be re-worked.

DWS, a division of Deutsche Bank, wants to build the flats above the Palace Exchange and Palace Gardens shopping centres as part of a redevelopment of the site.

READ MORE: Plan for 26-storey tower block in centre of Enfield Town

The Enfield Society and charity Civic Voice hosted an online public meeting on the proposed scheme on Thursday, where the MPs set out their objections.

Mr Charalambous said: “I think we would all agree Palace Gardens does need a revamp. However, this proposal, with a 26-storey tower block, is not what is needed. If it was a choice of this or nothing, I would prefer nothing.

“I think this proposal fails to understand the character and heritage of Enfield, and what makes Enfield what it really is. Enfield is a market town – that is the beating heart of Enfield, and we want to make sure that is retained and we do all we can to protect it.”

The MP pointed out that large tower blocks at Southgate Office Village were turned down last year – partly due to the potential impact on the heritage and landscape of Southgate.

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“I plan to oppose this development and work with all the groups – the Enfield Society and other groups as well – to challenge these proposals when they come forward,” he added.

Speaking after Mr Charalambous, Ms Clark told the meeting she was not anti-development but criticised the 26-storey tower block plans.

“I think the proposals are too tall for the location – I do think that is where our case against the development should start,” she explained. “The focus has to be on getting the right solution for Enfield Town and not just about stopping the current plans.

“We have to be focused and critical, and we have to build bridges with members of the council and residents across different communities to make sure we secure a better solution for Enfield Town.”

The MP said opponents needed to focus on highlighting where the scheme does not address planning policies around conservation, does not deliver the right kind of housing the borough needs, fails to provide the right kind of work and retail spaces and does not create a sense of community.

“If we can identify these before we even need to mention the tall tower, we can drive the developers back to the drawing board and get them to change the proposals before they get anywhere near a planning committee,” she added.

Cllr Chris Dey (Conservative, Grange) also criticised the plans. Speaking on behalf of his fellow ward councillors, Cllr Dey said they were “dead against any high-rise development” on the site but were not opposed to a residential component, suggesting it should be “two to three storeys maximum”.

Members of the Enfield Society encouraged residents to respond to an online survey on the tower block plans, which is available here.

Another online meeting will be held on Thursday, February 25 at 7pm.

Further meetings, where survey results will be presented, are set to take place on March 22 and March 25. More details are available on the Enfield Society website here.

DWS has been approached for comment.