Local historian accuses council of ‘suppressing evidence’ of historic importance of Green Belt site

Hadley Wood groups criticized Enfield Council for presenting evidence during the Local Plan process, reports Grace Howarth, local democracy reporter

Community groups in Hadley Wood have raised concerns about evidence presented as part of Enfield Council’s draft local plan – which proposes to designate a Green Belt area of ​​the village.

In March, councilors voted on the final version of the document, following a six-week statutory public consultation in April and May, and now the Local Plan is due to be reviewed by the government’s Planning Inspectorate to ensure legal compliance with national planning policies. .

However, some groups in Hadley Wood criticized the presentation of evidence during this trial.

In the Local Plan, a Green Belt site north-west of Hadley Wood is earmarked for the development of 160 homes.

Robert Wilson, a member of the Hadley Wood Association, said there was a “stink” when he was told by the Hadley Wood Neighborhood Planning Forum in March that not all the evidence to justify releasing the Green Belt had been presented to the council.

The group made a representation at the civic center about the issue ahead of a previously scheduled full council meeting on March 6, with this crucial meeting later postponed by two weeks to March 19 to allow the release of the “three or four key documents”. ” for the public and councilors to consider.

Robert said: “The council has drawn up this Local Plan, they are earmarking for the release of this piece of Green Belt for housing.

“It is important that, if they gather the evidence that has been put to them, they do so accurately for the Planning Inspectorate.”

The documents released included those entitled ‘Green Belt Exceptional Circumstances Topic Paper’, ‘Spatial Strategy and Overall Approach Topic Paper’, ‘Site Allocation Topic Paper’, ‘Enfield Housing Topic Paper’ and ‘The to the subject of Enfield employment’.

Later in June, local historian Hugh Small raised what he perceived to be another example of “suppressed evidence”.

A line from a letter summary from Historic England detailing the “historical interest” of the Hadley Wood Green Belt site and links to the Battle of Barnet was missing from the version of the summary found in the council’s evidence base.

The missing line, Hugh claims, is evidence of hidden information that “could have persuaded councilors to vote against the development of the Green Belt site”.

The line in Historic England says: “It would be well to reflect the special importance of sites like this in the table of site allocations.”

In response to the claims, a spokesman for Enfield Council said: “The Draft Enfield Local Plan is based on comprehensive evidence and the release of key subject documents followed standard procedures.

“The Local Plan sets out a blueprint for much-needed new family homes, new community facilities and new green infrastructure to help grow a more prosperous neighbourhood.

“The evidence base includes the Spatial Strategy and Overall Approach Topic Paper, the Exceptional Circumstances Topic Paper and the Site Allocation Topic Paper. These documents collectively ensure that the plan supports sustainable development and long-term neighborhood planning.

“The council processes representations made at the stage of Regulation 19. All statements received will be forwarded to the Urban Planning Inspectorate with the draft Local Plan, the supporting documentation and will also be made publicly available. Further information about the exam will be made available in due course.”

Historic England declined to comment.

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