Massive New Town Proposal Threatens Enfield's Green Belt Land
Controversial plans to construct a substantial new town on protected Green Belt land in north-west Enfield have ignited fierce opposition from local residents and environmental campaigners. The proposal, which forms part of the Labour Government's national new towns programme, envisions building up to 21,000 homes that would accommodate a population exceeding 46,000 people.
Government Consultation Launched Amid Criticism
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government officially launched a public consultation this week regarding the potential development at Crews Hill, also known locally as Vicarage Farm. This announcement follows the government's September shortlisting of twelve locations for new town development across the United Kingdom, with two London sites selected: Thamesmead in Greenwich and Enfield's Crews Hill and Chase Park.
Local campaign group Action for Enfield's Future has described the consultation as lacking in substantive detail, providing only generic maps rather than specific site outlines. The group has strongly criticized what they characterize as insufficient evidence, inadequate scrutiny, and a lack of transparency surrounding the entire proposal.
Environmental Concerns and Potential Job Losses
The proposed development would more than double the 9,200 homes previously envisioned for these areas in Enfield Council's draft Local Plan. Beyond the extensive building on currently protected Green Belt land, the project would likely require compulsory purchase orders to displace established horticultural businesses in Crews Hill, potentially resulting in the loss of hundreds of local jobs.
Matt Burn from campaign group Better Homes Enfield emphasized the scale of the proposal, noting that "the new town will have a population of over 46,000 people – that's roughly one-and-a-half times the size of Windsor." He highlighted the government's strategic environmental assessment, which identifies potential negative effects on health and wellbeing, air quality, biodiversity, flood risk, and the historic environment.
Conflicting Perspectives on Green Belt Quality
The government's New Towns Taskforce report described the area as comprising "poor quality green belt land," a characterization strongly disputed by local campaigners. Crews Hill includes two areas designated as sites of importance for nature conservation, and evidence presented during last year's Local Plan examination indicated that building homes at Vicarage Farm would cause "high harm" to the Green Belt.
Enfield Council leader Ergin Erbil recently faced criticism after posting a misleading social media video that falsely claimed Crews Hill Golf Course – one of the area's designated conservation sites – was not Green Belt land and provided no significant wildlife benefits. He has since removed the post.
Political Support and Opposition
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook stated that the proposals were "honouring" Labour's manifesto promises to create "decent, safe, secure and affordable homes." He told parliament in January that he considered Crews Hill "very promising" as a new town site with "clear as day" growth potential.
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, who spent six years opposing Enfield Council's plans for building homes at Crews Hill and Chase Park, announced a policy reversal last year. City Hall is currently undertaking a review of London's Green Belt, and the mayor has now "welcomed" the latest announcement, describing the proposed sites as representing "significant opportunities to support the government's growth mission and to help address London's acute housing needs."
Council's Vision and Community Engagement
Council leader Erbil stated: "We welcome the government's decision to include Crews Hill and Chase Park as a potential new town. This is a strong vote of confidence in Enfield. Our aim for a potential new town is to help families from all parts of the borough stay in Enfield by building the homes, jobs, public spaces and services our communities need."
He emphasized that both the draft Local Plan and potential new town should prioritize lower-rise buildings consistent with the area's character, meaning primarily two and three-storey family houses with three or four bedrooms and gardens. Thousands of these would be designated as affordable and council homes.
The council leader also suggested the development could unlock additional investment into local transport services, including new east-west bus routes, improved cycling and walking infrastructure, and increased train services at Crews Hill station. He pledged continued community involvement throughout the process and close collaboration with government to ensure Enfield residents' voices are heard.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has not responded to inquiries regarding how it expects to obtain useful public feedback given the consultation's current lack of specific detail. As the debate continues, the fundamental tension between addressing London's housing crisis and preserving protected Green Belt land remains unresolved, with local campaigners demanding decisions based on solid evidence rather than political opinion.
