A dark day for parks as Whitewebbs development approved

Enfield Council has rejected demands by campaigners supported by CPRE London to stop Tottenham Hotspur replacing historic parkland with 11 football pitches

A planning committee this week voted through plans to build a women’s football academy on the rewilded former golf course in Enfield. Despite an ongoing campaign and protests, led by local groups including Guardians of Whitewebbs, outside the meeting.

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club has been given a 25-year lease for more than half of Whitewebbs Park. And it plans to install pitches, including one all-weather astro turf, floodlights and a new clubhouse on the green belt parkland rich in bats, newts and mature trees. Spurs will pay the council £2m.

Parks at risk

The decision puts parks across London at risk. It follows an unsuccessful High Court challenge of what we see as an unlawful enclosure of public space. And Wimbledon’s successful plans to build tennis courts on the former Wimbledon Park golf course.

“This is a dark day for parks,” said CPRE London’s Alice Roberts. “It’s beyond us why Enfield Council is prepared to give away a beautiful public park to a wealthy private company for peanuts. They are supposed to be the custodians of public rights over the park. It has served the residents of Enfield for over 90 years. Now it’s gone for ever.”

Over 60% of the area leased by Tottenham Hotspur will be open to the public, including a cafe and electric car charging points. Although the council and football club insist the plans will improve biodiversity and public access, local residents are desperate to protect the wild grassland that has reverted to nature since the golf club closed in 2021.

The fight continues

“We will continue to fight for Whitewebbs,” said Alice. “The Greater London Authority and the government have the power to refuse the decision. And we are confident we can challenge the council on flaws in this planning procedure. We will be exploring options for a legal challenge so watch this space as we will need your help.

“For all other parks in the UK, we now need to take the fight to parliament. The High Court ruled against Whitewebbs campaigners, effectively saying town halls can, with impunity, ignore public rights and treat parks as financial assets”

Find out more about CPRE London’s work to save London’s parks

Learn more about the wildlife at Whitewebbs Park