Enfield Council 'formally withdraws' from government new towns programme

Newly-elected council leader Alessandro Georgiou has written to the government outlining the Conservative administration’s opposition to building on the Green Belt, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter, and James Cracknell

Crews Hill with (inset left) council leader Alessandro Georgiou and (inset right) housing minister Matthew Pennycook

Enfield Council has “formally withdrawn” from controversial ‘new town’ plans after the new Conservative leader sent a letter sent to the government today (Thursday 28th).

It represents the first decisive action by council leader Alessandro Georgiou, who was elected to lead the newly-formed minority Conservative administration at the local authority yesterday (Wednesday 27th).

In the letter sent to housing minister Matthew Pennycook at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Cllr Georgiou said the local authority would no longer support plans that could see up to 21,000 new homes built on large swathes of Green Belt land in the north-west of Enfield borough.

The outgoing Labour administration, which lost control of the council at this month’s local election, had been a keen supporter of the government scheme, arguing it was key to addressing the borough’s housing shortage.

Although the new Tory leadership does not hold a majority on the council, its pledge to “protect the Green Belt” is also backed by Enfield Greens, who now hold five seats at the council following the poll on Thursday, 7th May.

Cllr Georgiou’s letter to Pennycook points out that “77% of the Enfield electorate voted for parties whose 2026 manifestos explicitly committed to opposing the proposed New Town” and that “this decision directly reflects the democratic will of the residents we have been chosen to represent”.

The 77% figure includes the total vote share received by the Conservatives, Greens, Reform UK, Enfield Community Independents and Liberal Democrats. Only Enfield Labour explicitly supported the new town during the election campaign.

The letter continues: “In taking this step, it is important to note that the London Borough of Enfield is itself a major landowner within the designated New Town area. As the principal custodian of this land, our administration has resolved to use our strategic position and ownership rights to actively ensure that these vital natural assets are preserved, rather than being surrendered to unsustainable urban sprawl.”

In a further statement, Enfield Council said: “The new Conservative leadership campaigned on a clear commitment opposing the new town proposals.

“While withdrawing from the new town programme, the council has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the borough’s housing shortage and supporting economic growth.”

Cllr Georgiou added: “We have been elected on a clear mandate to protect Enfield’s Green Belt, and today we are honouring that commitment by formally withdrawing from the new town process.

“This does not mean stepping back from the challenge of delivering homes and jobs. We are committed to working with government to meet housing need, but in a way that protects our precious green spaces.

“Our focus will be on a brownfield‑first approach. This means unlocking underused land, regenerating our town centres and delivering the high‑quality family homes that local people need.”

On Thursday evening, MHCLG confirmed it had received the letter from Enfield Council.

The government department stated that a number of “models” for delivering the new town are still being considered and would be informed by feedback from public consultations.

One option is a mayoral development corporation, similar to the way the London 2012 Olympics was delivered, and would mean taking planning powers away from the council.

In a response sent to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), a MHCLG spokesperson added: “Our landmark national new towns programme will restore the dream of homeownership for people across the country.

“We recently consulted with local people on the proposals and will respond in due course.”

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