The battle for Enfield’s Green Belt continues.
Enfield RoadWatch has been fighting to save Enfield’s Green Belt for over ten years as the process of developing a new local plan for the borough has gone through its required phases. Throughout, public opinion has been against releasing Green Belt for development, but the Council still proposes some 7,000 homes north and south of Enfield Road and at Crews Hill.
In the current phase, the council’s plan is being examined by an independent Government Planning Inspector. This examination phase in itself could last for several months. The Inspector’s job is to determine whether the plan is ‘sound’ – does it follow the required legal processes and does it comply with both the London Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework [NPPF]?
The Stage 1 Examination Hearings concluded at the end of January, 2025. Several local interest groups participated, which is unusual at this stage, and we think many of our arguments had traction with the Planning Inspector. The Inspector has raised concerns about a number of issues which could affect the plan’s soundness, and he may yet stop the whole process. To get more fully updated on the current status of the plan and its potential pitfalls, watch the Enfield RoadWatch/ Enfield Society webinar at https://tinyurl.com/ERW-GreenBelt-webinar or check out the slide presentation at https://tinyurl.com/GreenBelt-presentation.
The Inspector is examining Enfield’s plan under the 2023 NPPF [which preceded the Government’s increased housing targets] and the current London Plan, which protects Green Belt. However, the Mayor of London expects Green Belt release to become necessary in the next London Plan [due in March 2026] so a London-wide Green Belt review is under way to determine which tracts can be released for development. Transport for London suggested that all the land between Oakwood and Cockfosters stations, currently within Trent Country Park, should be released for high-density development. These factors may become material considerations in the soundness of the local plan.
We are now preparing for the Stage 2 hearings, which probably won’t happen until late May or June. The next hearings will include site-specific sessions, when we will have a chance to fight for each of the Green Belt sites proposed for development. As before, we are collaborating with several other local groups and together we are trying to feed evidence into the London-wide Green Belt review and new London Plan.
To keep updated, visit: www.Enfield RoadWatch.co.uk or email [email protected] and we’ll add you to our mailing list. We would love to hear from you. Together we are Stronger!
