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The Society has recently been considering where it can most usefully direct its efforts. Comments and feedback from members about possible projects, would be most welcome. You can send your thoughts to the Chairman or any member of the Management Committee, or you might like to send them to the Enfield Society discussion list, where they will immediately be seen by a group of active members who may be able to build on your ideas with further suggestions and ways of implementing them.
Despite major opposition from so many groups and individuals, on 12th November 2007 the Council’s Planning Committee approved Spurs’ controversial plans for the construction of an Academy/Training Centre in the Green Belt at Bulls Cross. This decision was surprising since there were only marginal improvements on the earlier application which had been heavily rejected by the Planning Committee in September 2006. Once again the Planning Officer recommended approval, and this time the Labour members on the Committee voted en bloc in favour. It is our considered opinion that the Committee did not have adequate information and advice to ensure that its took into account all relevant matters to enable it to make a proper decision. Our legal team has referred this back to the Council and is seeking to persuade it that the Committee’s decision was unlawful and should be re-visited.
Spurs will have antagonised a considerable number of Enfield residents by retaining in their application the proposal for a building of 127,000 sq ft on 3 levels. It will have a maximum height of 34ft above ground, on a footprint of 2.1 acres, covering almost twice the area of Sainsbury’s superstore on the Enfield Retail Park. This building is to be constructed on a 27 acre agricultural field which forms part of the historic Forty Hall Estate, which was bought by the Council in 1951 to benefit all Enfield residents. The area to be covered on the overall Spurs’ site of 67 acres by new buildings, roads, hard surface car parks and artificial pitches would total 7¾ acres. With the purchase of the Whitewebbs Sports Centre Spurs had the opportunity to consider a compromise redesign and place their new buildings within the existing site of the Centre; the integrity of the Forty Hall Estate would have remained intact apart from possibly some football pitches.
Spurs’ proposals to increase their training and educational activities with young people in Enfield is obviously strongly supported; but this increase should not have been made dependent upon receiving planning permission at Bulls Cross. Community access to Spurs’ new facility is to be restricted to 20 hours a week, and only during the first 10 years of their 99 year Council lease.
The present Council will also have antagonised a considerable number of Enfield residents by its cavalier attitude towards our Green Belt, despite claims in their manifesto that it will be protected. With Spurs’ plans at Bulls Cross now agreed we can expect more attempts to encroach further upon our Green Belt.
Colin Pointer
| Last updated 2008-03-17 20:59 | Go to The Enfield Society home page |