Enfield Chase Protection – Whitewebbs Park
The Enclosure Acts from the 1770s to the early 1800s allowed the
rich and the powerful, through leases and freehold purchase, to
divide up and enclose the common land of Enfield Chase. Through the
greed of the rich and influential and ineffectual action by parish
councils, the poor got little or nothing for their loss of rights
and benefits.
In 1931 Enfield Urban District Council redressed this to some
extent by purchasing the 243 acres Whitewebbs Park Estate as public
open space for the people of Enfield. The park contains 140 acres
of ancient woodland and a 103 acre public golf course. It is a
unique relic of the historic Enfield Chase in Enfield.
The park is open to all, with free parking for about 100 cars, a
small café and many footpaths that allow visitors to enjoy
the open spaces and woodland. It makes an important contribution to
the mental and physical health of Enfield residents. The golf
course provides low cost physical activity for ordinary citizens
who cannot afford to, or do not want to, join a private club.
The ancient woodland with its magnificent oaks and hornbeams helps
clean the air of Enfield and makes a significant local contribution
to combating climate change. The trees and open spaces, including
the golf course make a major contribution to the biodiversity of
the borough.
While it is poorly served by public transport this metropolitan
park has adequate free car parking making it accessible to people
from all over the borough, the young, the old, the infirm, the
recovering, families with young children, runners and walkers,
riders and cyclists.
This Petition ran from 20/12/2019 to 03/02/2020 and has now finished.
3463 people signed this Petition.