A series of gardens could help to protect nearly 400 properties from flooding and boost walking and cycling in the borough.

Enfield Council is planning to create a series of ‘rain gardens’ in Haselbury that would link up Firs Farm and Pymmes Park wetlands.

The gardens help to store water and release it slowly into the surrounding area in a way that mimics the natural environment.

Bexley Gardens, Westerham Avenue and Park Lane are among the streets set to receive rain gardens, which can also increase biodiversity and improve air quality.

While the construction of a flood storage area at Firs Farm Wetlands has reduced the risk of flooding for more than 100 nearby properties, almost 400 homes and businesses could still be at risk.

The council says schemes such as rain gardens are the best way to tackle this problem, as climate change continues to make flooding more likely.

More than 3,000 residents were asked for their views on the proposals in a consultation launched in September – but the council only received 18 responses.

The replies were “mostly positive”, but four raised concerns over the scheme’s potential impact.

Around 21 parking spaces could be lost if all of the measures go ahead – just under ten per cent of the available spaces on the affected streets.

But the council says the scheme would create new walking and cycling routes, helping to improve public health and cut air pollution.

The gardens would also improve public safety by slowing traffic around schools.

The total cost of the gardens and associated improvements is estimated at £420,000 – just over a quarter of which has already been secured.

A further £200,000 of external funding has been provisionally approved but has not yet been signed off.

The scheme has been recommended for approval by the council’s director of environment and operational services.