Tottenham Hotspur has received approval to construct a new training facility, despite opposition from activists who claim it will endanger a local park.
The football organization intends to enclose a portion of Whitewebbs Park in Enfield, situated in north London, to establish a women’s academy that includes 11 playing fields and a new clubhouse.
Enfield Council received 296 objections, with many voicing concerns over the potential loss of green space and its effects on local wildlife. Among the opponents was The Woodland Trust.
Despite these objections, Enfield Council opted to grant a 25-year lease to the club, asserting that the project would also involve enhancements to the surrounding parkland.
Critics of the proposal raised issues regarding obstructed views, restricted public access, and inadequate protection for the historic parkland and its wildlife.
The Friends of Whitewebbs Park, an advocacy group, expressed that the park’s character—purchased for the benefit of Enfield residents by Middlesex Council in 1931—would be irreversibly changed.
Sean Wilkinson, the chair of the group, characterized the “promised advantages” for the community as “negligible.”
In contrast, Ergin Erbil, the Labour leader of Enfield Council, stated that the initiative would “offer thrilling opportunities to Enfield, such as job placements, apprenticeships, and improved sports facilities.”
“We eagerly anticipate the next steps to ensure the project delivers lasting advantages for all Enfield residents,” he remarked.
A representative from Tottenham Hotspur expressed their excitement regarding the approval, highlighting that the development would “enhance local access to nature and habitats, offer new amenities for visitors, community organizations, and sports clubs, and position Enfield as a leader in the women’s and girls’ game with a top-tier academy.”
