Guardians of Whitewebbs

Join our campaign to save Whitewebbs Park, a naturally rewilded public park in Enfield, North London from development by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club (THFC) for its new training ground.

Brief History

The 240 acre Park, comprising grassland and ancient woodland, was bought by Enfield Council in 1931 for the public. It is Green Belt land held in Public Trust on a lease term of 999 years. The Park (grassland section) was used since the 1930s as a public golf course. Enfield Council began a tendering process in 2019 to lease the golf course area. This resulted in THFC being selected as the preferred bidder in 2021. The golf course was formally closed in 2021. The lease stated that if the golf course was to close, it would revert to public use. Since its closure, everyone has continued to enjoy this beautiful Park. There has been minimal maintenance, which has meant the old golf course has been naturally rewilding ever since. The current established, thriving, ecosystem provides a stunning mosaic of grassland, scrub and woodland habitats and is home to an astonishing array of flora and fauna, which includes rare and protected species. Now, THFC wants to expand its commercial football training centre for elite players into the rewilded grassland section, and build a new road through a portion of the ancient woodland near Whitewebbs Lake*, which would irremediably destroy the historic character of the Park and the vital, present nature, and take away a long standing space dedicated to the public. And this all comes in a time where we are losing so much publicly accessible open space, with an ever growing population, and during the threatening loom of climate change and species decline. Enfield Council are backing THFC's proposals in spite of the overwhelming public opposition.

* This road proposal was amended at the 11th February 2025 planning committee meeting to be pedestrian access only. The ancient woodland would still be damaged, and THFC has historically retrospectively pushed through developments, such as its hotel and women's training centre on its existing site.

Our Video

This short, 5 minute video addresses Tottenham Hotspur's claims.

Email the Mayor of London and Secretary of State

The Mayor of London/Greater London Authority (GLA) and Secretary of State have the power to "call in" planning applications, and make their own decisions. The Mayor of London is generally interested in planning applications that go against the London Plan, and the Secretary of State is mainly interested in planning applications which have a national impact. Please request that both call in and refuse the application, and detail why they should. However, a short, more emotional and personal email is great too. Please follow the link below for Sam Gracie Tillbrook’s guide and template email.

Guide and Template Email

Next Event:

Spring Green Sketching

Free Tickets

There are a limited number of tickets, so booking is required.

We are so excited to announce that artist Sharon Drew will be hosting another free Green Sketching Session in Whitewebbs Park on Sunday, 6th April, from 11:00AM-12:30PM. Our last one together was a truly wonderful time and experience - you can watch the highlights video that Sam/Avid Beats made on our Instagram. This different approach to art is all about the connection with nature, using experimental drawing techniques. We will sit under the majestic redwoods like last time, which are not far from the Café (directions below).

What is "Green Sketching"? Find out more and watch Ali Foxon's TED Talk.

The event is suitable for adults and children, complete beginners and those with experience. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Materials will be provided. Sessions will run whatever the weather - appropriate clothing and footwear is recommended.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Directions: we have noticed that Google Maps can take you on a MUCH longer route than is necessary. Please, especially when coming by public transport, enter your destination as "Beggars Hollow, Enfield, EN2 9AJ". This short road will take you to Whitewebbs Café, where this event will start. This means that you can take the most direct route.

Graphics: Sam Gracie Tillbrook

A taster of our walks...

Our 19th October nature walk, tree shrine making and seed scattering event:

Walk 16/03/2025

Protest 16/02/2025

Watch BBC London's Coverage

Photo: Enfield Dispatch

Photo: BBC London

Planning Committee Update

11th February 2025

PROTEST: Firstly, thank you for coming to our protest / "Gathering of Strength"! It was an incredible turnout, especially considering the cold, dark, weather! We are very grateful for your support.

SUMMARY: As expected, the planning committee meeting on 11th February 2025 approved Tottenham Hotspur's planning application for Whitewebbs Park, with 7 votes for (all Labour), 4 votes against (all Conservative) and 1 abstention (Independent), despite overwhelming public opposition.

Our fight is not over yet. There are many points we can potentially challenge Enfield Council on. Our arguments were poorly addressed by officers, leaving many flaws in this planning procedure. Ed Allnutt, representing the Guardians of Whitewebbs, and Sean Wilkinson, representing Friends of Whitewebbs, made spoken deputations at the meeting. We thank Whitewebbs Ward Councillors for their support and deputations too.

TIMELINE:
1. Enfield Council planning committee approved the application (11/02/2025).
2. The application is referred to the Greater London Authority (Mayor of London) and the Secretary of State. They have the power to a) approve; b) refuse; or c) 'call in' the application. They have 14 days to respond from the date Enfield Council refers the application (note the application, as of mid-March, has not been formally referred yet).
3. If refused or 'called in' by them - this would be great.
4. If approved, the application goes back to Enfield Council Head of Planning for final approval, after the Council and Spurs finalise their Section 106/legal agreement.

However, in between all of this, we will be exploring options for legal challenge.

COMPLAINT: Sam Gracie Tillbrook recently escalated his complaint against Enfield Council. In summary, we consider there to be significant procedural failings in respect of Enfield Council's Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) review process in 2020. We believe that this, plus the conflict of interest regarding Tottenham Hotspur's land designation change in the New Enfield Local Plan (NELP), plus the failure to wait for Stage 2 NELP hearings - in which site-specific details (i.e. including Whitewebbs Park) and the matter of SINC will be discussed - all constitute a failure in Enfield Council’s “duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity” under Section 102 of the Environment Act 2021 and Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. Therefore, the assessment of any planning application related to Green Belt (including Whitewebbs Park) would certainly be prejudiced. (Please email Sam for a copy.)

Please sign up to our email newsletter and WhatsApp Groups to stay fully up to date.

Thank you again for your support. WE MUST SAVE WHITEWEBBS.

News Interview

Brydie Monaghan from London Live Speaks to Guardians of Whitewebbs Members Sam Gracie Tillbrook and Ed Allnutt, broadcast on 13th January 2025.

Edited by: Brydie Monaghan for London Live. | Featuring footage copyright by: Sam Gracie Tillbrook, Ed Allnutt, Jo Syz, Acro Aviator, Colin Pressland and Alison Gracie. | Events featured in additional footage: Green Sketching with Sharon Drew and the Nature Walk and Tree Shrine Making with Benny Hawksbee and Melisa Zulu.