Tottenham Hotspur has received authorization from City Hall to construct a new training facility, despite objections from advocates wanting to preserve a local park.
The football club intends to enclose a portion of Whitewebbs Park in Enfield, situated in north London, to establish a women’s academy featuring 11 pitches and a clubhouse.
A spokesperson from City Hall acknowledged that while the proposal is considered an inappropriate development on green belt land, very special circumstances have been established. Advocates for the park expressed their disappointment with the decision.
In April, Whitewebbs Park drew national attention when an ancient oak tree along its boundary was felled by the Toby Carvery pub chain.
Despite receiving 296 objections—primarily focused on the loss of green space and the effects on local wildlife—Enfield Council approved the Premier League club’s proposal in February.
Because the site lies within green belt land, the matter was escalated to the mayor’s office.
Sir Sadiq Khan, however, did not have the authority to overturn the planning decision and could only approve Enfield Council’s proposal or instruct it to reject the application.
The key rationale for allowing the development was the demonstration of special circumstances and the confirmation of a package of public benefits that were believed to outweigh the potential harm.
The academy’s planned location, adjacent to the existing men’s training facility, is expected to facilitate the shared use of approximately 11,000 square meters (2.7 acres) of amenities, ultimately minimizing the need for additional construction and reducing carbon emissions.
Public benefits include a community engagement initiative aimed at providing local football training to around 36,700 individuals annually, as well as free transportation for schools to community training sessions.
The Guardians of Whitewebbs, a local environmental group, criticized the public benefits as “meager” and argued that this decision contradicts common sense.
They contended that the development will lead to a loss of public and biodiverse green space, specifically affecting around 40 acres of rewilded grassland and over 200 trees.
The group stated, “Football pitches cannot compensate for the permanent loss and degradation of green space.”
Conversely, Patrick Connaghan, who runs Capital Girls Elite Development—a girls-only football training program in north London—welcomed the news.
In remarks to BBC Radio London, he expressed, “We face a constant struggle for pitch availability, and rising financial pressures make it increasingly difficult to find suitable facilities for training our talented players.
“If this project materializes, it will open up numerous opportunities for young girls to gain visibility and pursue their dreams.
“By investing in grassroots sports, we can elevate the standards at the highest levels of women’s football.”
Enfield Council’s leader, Ergin Erbil, expressed excitement about the “promising vision” for Whitewebbs Park’s future.
Meanwhile, the Guardians of Whitewebbs affirmed their commitment to exploring every possible avenue to protect the park for the community.
