New Conservative cabinet member for environment says that “for too long misuse has been either ignored or unchallenged”, reports James Cracknell
Enfield Council has said it will take “firm and immediate action” to tackle the misuse of allotment plots across the borough following a fire at a site in Edmonton that has become notorious for dangerous tenancy breaches.
The Conservative-led council has now promised swift action over what it called “years of unacceptable abuse by a minority of tenants”.
The pledge followed a serious fire last week at Barrowfield Allotments in Edmonton Green – the latest in a string of blazes at the site where the Dispatch has previously uncovered multiple unsafe structures.
Despite publishing multiple stories in 2024 and 2025 exposing the clear dangers present at Barrowfield, including evidence that people were illegally living there, the former Labour-led administration had failed to get a grip on the tenancy breaches prior to losing control of the council at last month’s election.
The allotment abuses at Barrowfield were also covered by the Daily Mail, which described the site in Colthurst Drive as “an illegal village”.
Following last week’s fire, however, Maria Alexandrou, the Tory-led council’s new cabinet member for environment, said: “The council is committed to ensuring these valued community assets are used appropriately, safely and fairly for the benefit of all residents.”
Although the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the council said its officers had “identified a substantial, unauthorised outbuilding on the plot, including cooking equipment and enclosed fencing”.
Formal warnings had previously not been complied with, the council explained.
Allotment agreements clearly state that cooking facilities and the storage of flammable materials are not permitted. The only legal structures allowed are sheds used for storing tools and equipment – but multiple plots at Barrowfield have had much larger, ramshackle structures erected, including some with windows and chimneys.
Cllr Alexandrou said: “Last week’s fire is a stark reminder of the risks posed when allotment rules are ignored. While thankfully no-one was injured, the presence of a large structure and evidence of cooking is deeply concerning.
“Allotments exist to support local people to grow food and enjoy green space – not as alternative living accommodation or places for unauthorised development. This kind of misuse is unfair to the many residents who wait patiently for a plot and who abide by the rules.
“We will no longer tolerate this behaviour. For too long misuse has been either ignored or unchallenged. We are taking decisive enforcement action and will not hesitate to terminate tenancies where there are serious or repeated breaches. The situation where a small minority undermine the system ends now.”
The council has now begun enforcement proceedings to recover the plot in question at Barrowfield and has said it will review other sites where there are concerns about non-compliance.
Relevant evidence, including CCTV footage, will also be shared with the Metropolitan Police.
Edmonton Green resident Louise Rodway previously reported allotment abuses to the council on multiple occasions, but became so frustrated with the lack of action that she decided to stand for election as a Conservative candidate in last month’s election.
Although she was unsuccessful, losing to Labour in Lower Edmonton ward, Louise told the Dispatch: “Now we’ve had a change of administration we will finally see some action instead of being ignored.
“When they [allotment holders] burn stuff over there it lingers in the air and it makes you cough […] it is right next door to a nursery where children play outside.”
Enfield Council manages more than 2,800 allotment plots across 32 sites in total, with waiting times starting from around two years and up, depending on the location.
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