How your feedback shaped our proposals for Palace Gardens

Our second round of consultation

DWS and RivingtonHark are developing proposals to transform Palace Gardens Shopping Centre into a more vibrant, welcoming and sustainable destination for Enfield Town.

Following our first round of consultation in December 2025, we held a second phase of public consultation to show how local feedback has informed and shaped the evolving plans.

Feedback from this stage is now being reviewed as the proposals are finalised ahead of a planning application in summer 2026.

Second Round of Consultation

The second stage of consultation provided an opportunity to review the updated proposals following our first round of consultation and to share feedback as the plans continue to evolve ahead of a planning application in summer 2026.

Public drop-in events

Thank you to all who attended our consultation events on Wednesday 4th March and Saturday 7th March.

Online survey

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their feedback on our proposals. The online survey closed on Saturday 21 March, and all responses are now being reviewed by the project team.

The site

The Palace Gardens Shopping Centre is located in the heart of Enfield Town. Its main entrance is from the North off Church Street.

A satellite bird’s eye view image of Enfield Town. The proposed development site is outlined in red, and the wider Shopping Centre areas are shown by the blue line.

Why now?

While Palace Gardens continues to serve as the heart of the town, it is now showing signs of age. The current layout and unit sizes no longer meet the needs of many modern retailers, limiting its ability to adapt to changing shopping habits. As a result, it no longer fully realises its potential as a focal point for Enfield’s residents and visitors.

Vacancy levels, footfall patterns and changing shopping habits all highlight the need to reposition Palace Gardens for a more sustainable and flexible future.

Enfield Council are also currently bringing forward a new Local Plan, which includes guidance for new homes in the town centre. Our emerging proposals are intended to be in keeping with the new policies.

This redevelopment represents the next stage of long-term investment in Enfield Town, strengthening its role as a key shopping and leisure destination, improving the experience for visitors, and creating new homes and green spaces that support a thriving local centre for years to come.

Our team

A new project team has been appointed by RivingtonHark to take a fresh approach to the future of Palace Gardens. This marks a clear break from previous proposals, with a renewed focus on listening, collaboration and long-term commitment.

The team recognises the sensitivity of the site and the importance of doing things differently, working with the community, local stakeholders and Enfield Council to create proposals that deliver lasting benefits for Enfield Town.

Our investment in Enfield Town so far

DWS has a long-term commitment to Enfield Town and to Palace Gardens.

In recent years, this has included targeted improvements to the shopping centre, upgrades to shared facilities, and continued support for key tenants.

Notable recent works include enhancements to entrances, improvements to public amenities, and the successful expansion and reopening of Pearsons.

The central square has also been upgraded to create a clearer, more usable space that can support events, pop-ups and places to sit and dwell.

The upgraded north entrance from Church Street

Pearsons reopening in November

The improved public toilets

Our Vision

We want to create a place for everyday living and shopping, while introducing a stronger evening economy to bring new dining and leisure offers to Enfield.

Our vision is based on the following key principles to:

Strengthen the everyday shopping offer of Enfield Town, anchored by popular retailers such as M&S, Waitrose, Pearsons and Iceland

Deliver much-needed new homes on a brownfield site in the town centre

Improve the layout of the Shopping Centre to create units that meet the needs of modern retailers

Bring new activity and life to Cecil Road and the south of the centre, supporting the wider local economy

Continue DWS’s long‑term commitment to Enfield Town through responsible ownership and investment

Be guided by the draft Enfield Local Plan in terms of height and design, aligning with local priorities and the wider town centre framework

Improve connectivity, by creating a new north-south route through the Shopping Centre to Cecil Road

Enhance the town centre’s green infrastructure, with new planting, landscaping and biodiversity measures

Strengthens its everyday shopping offer, anchored by much-loved retailers such as M&S, Waitrose, Pearsonsand Iceland

Introduces new homes and high-quality public spaces where people want to spend time

Improves connectivity, sustainability and greening across the site

Retains the familiar, convenient character that local people value, while enhancing it for the future

While Palace Gardens continues to serve as the retail heart of the town, it is now showing signs of age. The current layout and unit sizes no longer meet the needs of many modern retailers, limiting its ability to adapt to changing shopping habits. As a result, it no longer fully realises its potential as a focal point for Enfield’s residents and visitors.

The future redevelopment of the site presents a unique opportunity to reinvigorate Enfield Town Centre — creating a setting that responds to contemporary retail and community needs, while respecting the area’s heritage and character.

Next Steps

NOW

The second round of consultation showing how feedback from the first stage has influenced the evolving plans.

SUMMER 2026

The aim is to submit an outline planning application in Summer 2026, informed by what we hear from the community and local stakeholders over the coming months

END OF 2026

Target date for planning consent