There was a superb community response to the appeal for objections to the proposed “agreement to lease”. Not only did supporters use the Council’s web portal take known their views but at least 200 sent in detailed and heartfelt objections by email with copies to their MP, Councillors and GLA member. Today, Friday 20 th January many of us have received a response from Enfield North MP Feryal Clark. The text is below. There are some points to be cleared up but it was good to see the very strong statements and undertakings in the letter
Bambos Charalambous MP has responded to the Council on behalf of his Southgate constituents and his response is also below.
Dear
Thank you for contacting me regarding Whitewebbs.
Whilst I am unable to respond to individual concerns, my general position on this issue is set out below.
I am grateful for all correspondence I have received from constituents on this issue.
As a regular user of Whitewebbs grounds, I want to assure you that I recognise the significance of the woodlands, footpaths and bridle ways to our community.
They provide a real benefit to residents, and I am clear these spaces must continue to be open and accessible to everyone.
When Enfield Council went to tender expressions of interest for the golf course, I made clear my view to the Council and local residents.
Whilst I understood the Council’s concerns around financial pressures, and the wish to maximise the revenue from the site, I was clear that residents’ views must be listened to through an in-depth consultation before any decision was made.
At the time, I was pleased to hear about plans which would protect this existing green space at Whitewebbs, that is valuable to many of us in Enfield, and enhance public access, protect the woodlands, and improve biodiversity.
The level of resident engagement on this proposal by the Council at the time was poor, which was made very clear to the Council by residents and myself
I joined residents in calling on the Council to do better.
The competitive process resulted in Tottenham Hotspur being selected as the preferred bidder, subject to obtaining planning approval for their proposals.
Both residents and I were reassured that the proposals would require planning approval and no lease would be entered into unless this was obtained, following a rigorous local consultation.
This would have been the opportunity for residents to shape and influence the proposals.
It is most disappointing that despite reassurances given by the Council, this has not been the case.
I therefore completely understand and share the anger and frustration of residents who feel like their voices have been ignored.
The lack of clarity that residents have received on all stages of this project, could have been averted by a more rigorous and meaningful engagement and consultation process.
It is the failure to carry out such a process that has led to this situation.
Furthermore, good consultation practice dictates that consultations should not be launched during major public holidays, when residents will be otherwise preoccupied.
By launching this consultation on 14th December, when many will have been making plans for Christmas, the Council further failed in their obligations to residents.
Once the consultation was launched, the map provided in documents to residents (showing the plan of the property) was completely contrary and unhelpful, given the bid from Tottenham Hotspur is for only a section of the previous golf course.
Unfortunately, I have lost confidence in the Council’s ability to involve local residents and user groups, in its plans for this public space.
Henceforth, I am taking this issue up as a matter of urgency with council officers, seeking the answers that residents have so far been denied.
Local communities must be at the heart of decisions that affect them, and I will continue to do all I can to make your voices heard.
Yours sincerely,
Feryal Clark MP
Member of Parliament for Enfield North & Shadow Minister for Primary Care and Patient Safety
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
From Bambos Charalambous MP
Submission to Enfield Council proposal to lease Whitewebbs Park
13 January 2022
Sent by email to : [email protected]
Dear Enfield Council Officers
I am writing on behalf of constituents of Enfield Southgate who are objecting to the lease of land to the south of Whitewebbs Lane to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
The proposed lease of public land to the football club has raised several concerns for residents who consider the parkland to be a treasure in our borough. I join them in raising their voices to ensure our green spaces are open for all.
My constituents are concerned that the lease of Whitewebbs Park will divide the land between publicly accessible, commercial enterprise and private land. In doing so, green belt land will be destroyed and naturally occurring rewilding overwritten for leaseholder targets.
I echo my colleague Feryal Clark, Member of Parliament for Enfield North in calling for pushing to ensure that the leaseholder of Whitewebbs Park undertakes a full and comprehensive consultation with residents and visitors to the area to ensure its future is decided by those who will be visiting the green space.
Yours faithfully
Bambos Charalambous MP
Member of Parliament for Enfield Southgate