Local campaigners have brought a judicial review against the decision to grant planning permission to Tottenham Hotspur for a new training centre, reports James Cracknell
The leader of Enfield Council has decided to withdraw the civic centre’s legal defence against a judicial review case brought by campaigners wanting to stop Tottenham Hotspur building on Whitewebbs Park.
Alessandro Georgiou, who became the new Conservative leader of the council three weeks ago, has said that it is “not in the best interests” of local residents for the case to be fought.
However, the Dispatch understands that the case is still due to go ahead as things stand – because Tottenham Hotspur Football Club (THFC) have not yet backed down. The club remains listed as an ‘interested party’ in the judicial review.
The case is the second judicial review brought by local campaigners against the council regarding the future of Whitewebbs Park – with the first ending in defeat for Sean Wilkinson, the chair of the Friends of Whitewebbs Park.
While the first case, in February 2024, revolved around the decision to issue a 25-year lease of half of the park to THFC, this year’s case instead objects to the decision to issue planning permission for the Premier League club’s new women’s training centre.
However, Enfield Conservatives fought last month’s local election on a promise to stop the Spurs plans for Whitewebbs, and ultimately took minority control of the council after a new group of Green Party councillors – who also pledged to protect the park – decided not to block Cllr Georgiou becoming council leader.
One of Cllr Georgiou’s first acts as council leader was to refuse to sign a lease of the park for THFC.
However, as it stands, the judicial review is still due to be held over two days next week at the High Court in central London, on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th – without any lawyer representing the council.
The planning permission decision will only be overturned if the judge presiding over the case agrees with campaigners that it was legally unsound.
Cllr Georgiou said: “Enfield’s new administration has pledged to protect Whitewebbs Park from unacceptable development and to ensure it remains accessible for local residents and communities to enjoy.
“Continuing to defend this judicial review would not reflect that commitment and is not in the best interests of residents across the borough. We have therefore notified the parties and the court that we wish to withdraw our defence and we await the court’s response.”
Although THFC have declined to comment for this story, there has been no indication from the club at this stage that they intend to back down or concede defeat.
The Guardians of Whitewebbs campaign group raised close to £30,000 through a crowdfunder last summer to help fund its legal challenge. Their case centres around the claim that the council’s decision to approve THFC’s planning application last year came after planning committee members were “misled” on the issue of biodiversity and that some council policies were also “misinterpreted” in a report presented to councillors.
Responding to the news that the council will not now be defending the decision at the High Court next week, in a statement the Guardians of Whitewebbs group said: “We’re really grateful to the new council for its quick action in reviewing the case and deciding not to oppose it.
“We are incredibly disappointed that Spurs has decided to continue to oppose the community. We will vigorously pursue saving Whitewebbs for the benefit of all – people, wildlife, our heritage and future generations.”
In the decision notice signed this week by Cllr Georgiou, the cost to the council of its legal defence so far was cited as being around £100,000, but that the withdrawal of the defence prior to the case proceeding in court would save £32,000 in further legal fees.
Tottenham Hotspur have previously described the plans for Whitewebbs Park, which also include the creation of a new ‘turf academy’ and visitor centre, as “a once in a generation opportunity to create a regionally significant asset for Enfield”.
The former Labour-run council had also previously touted the wider benefits of the scheme, with THFC promising to invest further in the development of women’s and girls’ football in the borough should the development go ahead.
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