Agenda item

An issues paper prepared by the Opposition Group is attached for information.

Cllr Julian Sampson introduced the Opposition Priority Business paper on Protecting Enfield’s Green Spaces.

Cllr Sampson noted that Enfield’s green spaces of all sizes were loved and valued. He had heard prejudice against golf courses for their alleged elitism by the current administration, but stated that golf clubs in Enfield were far from exclusive, and had 2000 members living across the borough. Enfield’s golf clubs also had a diverse membership. Golf was an environmentally friendly outdoor leisure pursuit. The new Local Plan was considered to put pockets of green space such as Brimsdown Sports Ground under threat of building development. As detailed in the paper, areas currently enjoyed as open spaces were identified in the Local Plan for redevelopment, including a crematorium on Haselbury Church Street recreation ground.  Loss of green spaces to raise revenue was feared: these were not investments to be priced but community assets to be valued.

Cllr Ergin Erbil, Deputy Leader of the Council, responded that protection and enhancement of Enfield’s green spaces was one of the administration’s priorities. Action had already been progressed on woodland creation, rewilding initiatives, and new wetlands. Cllr Erbil felt that the Opposition had misinterpreted the Local Plan: key aspects of it addressed concerns, such as accessibility to all to green spaces, and protection of green sites and noted that wildflower meadows were more protective to biodiversity than golf courses. In respect of Whitewebbs Park, the deal with Tottenham Hotspur would provide new trails and a café, jobs and training, and the woods were excluded from the lease.

Opposition members did not accept the claims that the administration championed the environment. They believed that the Local Plan would identify virtually all open space and green space in the borough as open to development, especially for housing. The Opposition felt that Whitewebbs should be a park for everyone, and hundreds of local residents had made clear their opposition to the deal with Tottenham Hotspur. Residents in the most deprived areas would be hardest hit by Local Plan proposals, such as development at Brimsdown Sports Ground. The proposal for a crematorium in Haselbury had outraged local residents. Benefits of green spaces for play and exercise were vital and such spaces should not be destroyed when there was an obesity crisis.

In response, Administration members stated that the Council had shown its commitment to enhancing and maintaining the borough’s blue and green assets, with numerous projects. The Council won a global Ashden award for Local Nature Recoverers in respect of flood risk mitigation, and had provided 13 new wetlands and planted 130,000 new trees. The health and wellbeing of residents was important, evidenced by funding for sport and leisure and engagement with sports clubs and friends of parks groups. The Local Plan had a role to promote sustainable development, and had an environmental role.

During the debate, a procedural motion was moved by Cllr Ozaydin and seconded by Cllr Ergin Erbil under paragraph 13.20 (viii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to extend the debate for a further 20 minutes which was put to the vote and AGREED.

During the extended debate, a further procedural motion was moved by Cllr Ozaydin and seconded by Cllr Ergin Erbil under paragraph 13.20 (viii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to extend the debate for a further 20 minutes which was put to the vote and AGREED.

Cllr Julian Sampson, in summing up, advised that the objective of this priority business paper was to highlight the threat to green spaces and golf courses in Enfield. Cllr Sampson invited those present to note a promotional postcard commissioned by the Council itself which included an image of a golfer as part of showing the essence of Enfield. It was clear that some councillors did not value golf, but if courses were lost, other leisure facilities would follow. The borough’s green spaces were assets to be treasured by the whole community.

Cllr Ergin Erbil responded that the proposed recommendations in the opposition business paper did not address important issues in respect of climate action. Golf courses involved landfilling, grass cutting and prevention of wild flowers, and use of large amounts of water for maintenance. The Administration prioritised wetland and woodland and meadow creation and greater accessibility to green spaces for all.

After the debate, Members took a vote on whether to approve the Deputy Leader’s response to the Conservative Opposition Business paper. Members agreed the Deputy Leader’s response.

The recommendations in the Opposition Business paper were therefore not accepted.

The meeting was briefly adjourned at this point and re-commenced in the Council Chamber at 9:10pm.