Council proposal to lease land to football club delayed by judicial review challenge

Enfield Council is set to face a judicial review of its proposal to lease part of a public park and shuttered golf course to a football club, after a group of local residents argued against the plans on environmental grounds.

The group confirmed it had received permission for its legal challenge to be heard on Friday (3 November), writing that the judge noted the claim was an Aarhus Convention claim within the meaning of CPR 45.41 – and that costs protections will be applied as it is an environmental case.

Enfield proposes to lease just over half of Whitewebbs Park, located on the Northern edge of London, to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club (THFC).

The area covered by the lease currently hosts a now-closed public golf course, a lake area and part of the park's woodland.

The scheme would see the construction of new astroturf pitches, a new women's and girls' football academy and a cafe.

Over half of the former golf course will also be restored to parkland and wild meadows.

However, the group behind the judicial review argue the council has not given details of its plans, adding that there has not been a substantive planning application or a draft of the terms of the lease made public.

Writing on CrowdJustice, Sean Wilkinson, who is one of the locals behind the claim, said: "At the moment, the council claims that some  40 acres of this beautiful, cherished parkland will be levelled for plastic and hybrid football pitches. These pitches will be part of the elite THFC academy, for its exclusive use.

"The rest, about 100 acres, will be controlled, managed and developed by THFC. This area includes all the entrances and car parks."

Wilkinso claimed there has been "no meaningful consultation", and petitions, protests and letters had been ignored or dismissed by the council.

He later added: "I do not believe it is lawful for the council to dispose of a large portion of Whitewebbs Park to a private company and put access to community open space at risk.

"We all know how important such spaces are to the environment and to the mental and physical wellbeing of all communities."

An Enfield Council spokesperson said: "The lease of part of Whitewebbs Park is set to bring significant benefits to the local community including the protection and enhancement of the park and woods, further investment in a new on-site café, toilets and other facilities as well as preserving open public access to over 80% of the park for all residents."

They added: "Enfield Council is confident that proper legal processes and procedures have been followed at all times leading up to the award of this lease and will defend the judicial review robustly."

Adam Carey