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.
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.
Planning Committee Update
11th February 2025
Photo by Jo Syz
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. Please stay tuned for a full video of the protest, including speeches made by protestors.
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 (Sam Gracie Tillbrook and Public Interest Law Centre have both requested this). They have 14 days to respond from the date of Enfield Council's approval.
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.
However, in between all of this, we will be exploring options for legal challenge.
COMPLAINT: Sam Gracie Tillbrook, Chair of Guardians of Whitewebbs (GOWW), 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.
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.
Recent News Interview
Brydie Monaghan from London Live Speaks to Guardians of Whitewebbs Members Sam Gracie Tillbrook, Chair, 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.
Vision
Our aim is for Whitewebbs Park to become a designated nature reserve.
We would like to see the Park become a central hub for residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature that this borough showcases and to be a beacon for biodiversity in London.
Our vision is to build an inclusive community focussed on rewilding; environmental and wildlife education; mindfulness and collaborative activities (outdoor crafts, gardening, nature walks, retreats, eco-therapy, sustainable sports).
Current Aims
Photo by Alison Gracie
Get Involved
These are the ways you can be a part of our campaign:
- Attend our fun, family friendly nature walks and events.
- Join us at protests.
- Support our social media and share our videos with your friends.
- Become a member of GOWW.
- Sign up, and be a part of the discussion in our WhatsApp group.
- Offer your campaign expertise - email us.
Extra Links
Thank you so much!
Much love from the Guardians of Whitewebbs!
Photos from the Community
Send in your photos for a chance to be featured on our Instagram: sam@avidbeats.com
This page was built by Avid Beats, for the Guardians of Whitewebbs (GOWW). Avid Beats is a local music producer, chair of GOWW.