London's first surfing lake gets council go-ahead

The surf lake would be situated in the Lea Valley in north London

A north London council has approved plans for an inland surfing facility in the Lea Valley.

The Surf London scheme at Pickett's Lock will see a new artificial lake built on parts of Lee Valley Golf Course and Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park.

Enfield Council's planning committee unanimously approved the plan, which will see the golf course reduced in size and the campsite redeveloped.

Hazel Geary, chief executive of Crest Experiences, the company behind the venue, said it would be a free-to-access public park "with opportunity to play, relax and explore".

The artificial surfing facility will create "up to 200" job opportunities, a council meeting was told

Ms Geary said local residents would have discounted rates on activities including the surf facilities and "up to 200" job opportunities would be created annually.

She said the project will bring more than £50m of investment into Enfield, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The plans include the purpose-built surfing lake, green space, skateboarding areas, playparks, and health and wellbeing activities on 100 acres of land.

The Lee Valley park is already home to an artificial white water rafting centre, and hosted the canoe events in the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Conservative committee member Michael Rye asked why 150 extra parking spaces were a part of the proposals when a 975-space car park existed west of the site.

This car park currently serves an Odeon cinema, a wedding venue and Lee Valley Athletics Centre.

The wave opened its first artificial wave lake near Bristol in 2019

Karen Page, the council's head of planning and building control, said relying on provision from a car park that falls outside of the "red line" for this site could be "quite problematic".

Ms Geary said the new car park would help surfers with accessibility needs, especially when surf competitions or events were being held.

She also said resident feedback showed additional parking onsite was specifically requested to ensure the new development would not impact parking on neighbouring roads.

The council's statutory consultation on the plans received 16 supportive responses and one objection.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the plan.

As it is a green belt site, it will be referred up to the Greater London Authority for final approval.