Enfield: Plans progress for London artificial surfing lake
London could get "a slice of the ocean inland" as plans for a £50m artificial surfing lake progress, the company behind it has said. The Wave wants to develop 56 acres of land in the Lee Valley regional park in Edmonton, north London.Bosses said the project is in its early stages but they hope to submit a planning application in the spring.The plans are due to go to public consultation next month.
A purpose-built surfing lake, green space, skateboarding areas, playparks, and health and wellbeing activities could see 100 acres of land transformed.A spokesperson for The Wave said it has signed a contract with Endless Surf to install the wave-making technology.
Hazel Geary, chief executive of The Wave, said she was "so excited" the plans are progressing as London "is the perfect location" for inland surfing.She added: "We have been working closely with Lee Valley for a number of years to develop plans for this incredible, but underused, land in Enfield".The project is also intended to increase biodiversity, enhance green space, and encourage people to engage with nature, the company said.The Lee Valley park is already home to an artificial white water rafting centre, and hosted the canoe events for the 2012 London Olympic games.
Shaun Dawson, chief executive of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA), which owns the land, said he supported the project and hoped it would bring visitors and jobs to the area."This would open up surfing for millions of people," he said.A final planning decision will eventually have to be made by Enfield Council and the mayor of London.
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