locals 'completely oppose' plans for new town with 21,000 homes in north london

The government’s New Towns Taskforce has shortlisted the area for development (Picture: Google Maps)

Plans to build a ‘new town’ in the London Borough of Enfield have sparked widespread debate over the use of protected Green Belt land.

The government’s New Towns Taskforce has shortlisted a 884-hectare tract of land encompassing Crews Hill and Chase Park for the creation of a large new town,with plans to deliver up to 21,000 new homes.

The proposal,supported by both Enfield Council and the Greater London Authority (GLA),is a key component of the government’s strategy to combat London’s persistent housing shortage while striving to maintain sustainable development standards.

Official documents reveal that the proposed new town aims to provide up to 50% affordable housing,targeting London’s pressing need for accessible homes amidst soaring property prices.

The development blueprint includes extensive social infrastructure such as schools,local centres,and large public parks designed to enhance community well-being and cohesion.

The initial phase would see approximately 9,000 homes developed alongside enhancements in transport connectivity and access to natural green spaces.

Opposition from political and local groups

Despite official backing,the plans have met resolute opposition from conservation groups,including Enfield RoadWatch and countryside charity CPRE London.

Critics from these organisations describe the proposal as ‘smoke and mirrors,’ contending that it threatens valuable Green Belt land that supports a rich array of biodiversity.

They question the suitability of Crews Hill for such large-scale development,particularly pointing to inadequate public transport services and potential strain on existing infrastructure.

The area is surrounded by Green Belt land (Picture: Getty Images)

While Crews Hill has its own railway station,only two trains run each hour and the nearest Tube station is over four miles away,meaning significant upgrades are necessary to accommodate the anticipated population increase.

Others argue that the project’s impact on alleviating housing affordability issues would be minimal,making the environmental and community costs of using Green Belt land unwarranted.

Carol Fisk,of the Enfield RoadWatch Action Group,said in a webinar on Thursday: ‘The Green Belt land was described as poor quality. We don’t think it is. It’s very rich in wildlife. It’s used for arable and grazing land.

‘They talk about how well connected the area is,which is totally untrue. This whole report is built on smoke and mirrors.’

She added: ‘It’s not the right place for a new town. We just need to stop it.’

Meanwhile,Councillor Alessandro Georgiou,leader of the Conservative opposition in Enfield,previously told London Mayor Sadiq Khan that he is ‘completely opposed’ to the plan to build at Crews Hill.

Enfield Council has emphasised the importance of resident participation in shaping the future of this new settlement,currently engaging the public through ongoing consultations on the emerging masterplans.

The issue epitomises a key challenge faced by London’s policymakers: balancing the protection of cherished Green Belt environments with the urgent need to provide more affordable housing.

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With one of the world’s most expensive property markets,the capital’s future growth requires careful planning to meet demand without undermining ecological and community assets.

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