Join our campaign to save Whitewebbs Park, a naturally rewilded public park in Enfield, North London from development by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club (THFC) for its new training ground.

Brief History

The 240 acre Park, comprising grassland and ancient woodland, was bought by Enfield Council in 1931 for the public. It is Green Belt land held in Public Trust on a lease term of 999 years. The Park (grassland section) was used since the 1930s as a public golf course. Enfield Council began a tendering process in 2019 to lease the golf course area. This resulted in THFC being selected as the preferred bidder in 2021. The golf course was formally closed in 2021. The lease stated that if the golf course was to close, it would revert to public use. Since its closure, everyone has continued to enjoy this beautiful Park. There has been minimal maintenance, which has meant the old golf course has been naturally rewilding ever since. The current established, thriving, ecosystem provides a stunning mosaic of grassland, scrub and woodland habitats and is home to an astonishing array of flora and fauna, which includes rare and protected species. Now, THFC wants to expand its commercial football training centre for elite players into the rewilded grassland section, and build a new road through a portion of the ancient woodland near Whitewebbs Lake*, which would irremediably destroy the historic character of the Park and the vital, present nature, and take away a long standing space dedicated to the public. And this all comes in a time where we are losing so much publicly accessible open space, with an ever growing population, and during the threatening loom of climate change and species decline. Enfield Council are backing THFC's proposals in spite of the overwhelming public opposition.

* This road proposal was amended at the 11th February 2025 planning committee meeting to be pedestrian access only. The ancient woodland would still be damaged, and THFC has historically pushed through significant amendments after the main developments were approved, such as its hotel and women's training centre on its existing site.

Our Video

This short, 5 minute video addresses Tottenham Hotspur's claims.

Email the Mayor of London and Secretary of State

The Mayor of London/Greater London Authority (GLA) and Secretary of State have the power to refuse or "call in" planning applications, and make their own decisions. The Mayor of London is generally interested in planning applications that go against the London Plan, and the Secretary of State is mainly interested in planning applications which have a national impact. Please request that both refuse or call in the application. We encourage you to write your own personal and emotive messages describing what the Park means to you (they can be really short), but there is a guide and template which touches on the more detailed issues if you would prefer to use it, or would get ideas from that (link above). We have loved reading some of your letters, and if you have used the template previously, we also encourage you to write a personal one (there is no limit to the amount of times you can submit objections). For inspiration, see below to read the letters written by Zoë Garbett (City Hall), Kate Osamor MP and Whitewebbs Ward Councillors.

UPDATE ON THE PLANNING APPLICATION:
Following a delay after the planning committee meeting on 11th February 2025, and after recently publishing the Draft Section 106 (legal) agreement, Enfield Council has confirmed that a formal referral of the decision to approve the development has been made to the Greater London Authority and the Government. However, the GLA has not yet "validated" the referral of the application, and has asked the Council for "further information". The Mayor of London's 14 day window to respond to the application only commences once it has been validated, and we will update you once this has happened. So there may be a little more time, but DO NOT DELAY! Our group is also working on future avenues of attack, should this call in/refusal process not be successful.

Thank you so much for your support!

Whitewebbs Oak Felling

As you will have seen on the national media, a shocking decimation of a nationally significant oak tree took place on 3rd April 2025, in the Southwestern edge of the Whitewebbs Toby Carvery car park. We now know this action was ordered by the Toby Carvery, but are uncertain of the motives. The Guardians of Whitewebbs are pursuing the case, and have found strong links between the Toby Carvery and Tottenham Hotspur Football Club (Odyzean Ltd, a subsidiary of ENIC (Spurs) owns 56.61% of the shares in Mitchells and Butlers PLC, which owns the Toby Carvery). Stay up to date with the latest news by signing up to our newsletter, WhatsApp groups and following our Instagram.

Video:

Protest Walk 20/04/2025

A taster of our walks...

Our 19th October nature walk, tree shrine making and seed scattering event:

Spring Green Sketching 06/04/2025

Photo: Sharon Drew

Planning Committee Protest

11th February 2025

News Interview

Brydie Monaghan from London Live Speaks to Guardians of Whitewebbs Members Sam Gracie Tillbrook and Ed Allnutt, broadcast on 13th January 2025.

Edited by: Brydie Monaghan for London Live. | Featuring footage copyright by: Sam Gracie Tillbrook, Ed Allnutt, Jo Syz, Acro Aviator, Colin Pressland and Alison Gracie. | Events featured in additional footage: Green Sketching with Sharon Drew and the Nature Walk and Tree Shrine Making with Benny Hawksbee and Melisa Zulu.

Vision

Our aim is for Whitewebbs Park to become a designated nature reserve, while staying fully publicly accessible, to ensure protection for future generations.

We would like to see the Park continue to be a central hub for residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature and to be a beacon for biodiversity in London.

Our vision is to continue to build an inclusive community focussed on rewilding; environmental and wildlife education; mindfulness and collaborative activities (outdoor crafts, gardening, nature walks, retreats, eco-therapy, sustainable sports).

Current Aims

We are campaigning to save the Park from development. Please join us - we'd love to have you on board. And please sign up - we have regular events, and it will be great to have you there.

Photo by Alison Gracie

Get Involved

These are the ways you can be a part of our campaign:

- Attend our fun, family friendly nature walks and events.

- Join us at protests.

- Support our social media and share our videos with your friends.

- Become a member of GOWW.

- Sign up, and be a part of the discussion in our WhatsApp group.

- Offer your campaign expertise - email us.

Extra Links

Constitution | Privacy Policy

Thank you so much! 

Much love from the Guardians of Whitewebbs!

Photos from the Community

Send in your photos for a chance to be featured on our Instagram: sam@avidbeats.com