Park users formed a line around the proposed boundary of Tottenham Hotspur’s women’s football academy to show how open space would be lost

Whitewebbs Park users form a line around the part of the park that could be built on by Tottenham Hotspur

Around 100 people staged a protest at Whitewebbs Park over the weekend after Tottenham Hotspur submitted its plans for a women’s and girls’ football academy to Enfield Council.

The park users formed a line along the southern border of the proposed academy area to show how much of Whitewebbs would be fenced off if the plans win approval and the council’s 25-year lease to the Premier League club goes ahead.

A verdict in the judicial review case brought by Sean Wilkinson – chair of the Friends of Whitewebbs Park group – is still awaited and will determine whether the lease is legal or not.

Explaining the idea behind Sunday’s protest, Sean said: “A hundred Whitewebbs Park supporters formed a protest wall. The wall marked the line of six-foot fencing that will ban park users from about half the public open space in Whitewebbs if Enfield Council allows Spurs’ proposals.

“It was wonderful to see so many people supporting the cause of healthy, nature rich, public open space in Enfield for all to enjoy. The Spurs plans will benefit a massive corporation and just a few select players. There are alternate sites available which would not deprive Enfield people of their beautiful parkland.“

The planning application for the site was submitted last month and includes the construction of ten pitches on the northern half of what used to be Whitewebbs Park Golf Course, while the southern half would be retained as parkland and “enhanced” with biodiversity improvements including a new area of woodland and new community facilities.

The judicial review verdict, which will follow three days of evidence heard at the High Court in February, is expected to be issued shortly.

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