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Photographs of Whitewebbs (www.whitewebbspark.org.uk)

As at 21st January 2,878 people had signed an online petition calling on Enfield Council to protect the golf course, woods and open areas at Whitewebbs.

The petition was launched by a group of people which includes Sean Wilkinson, who runs a website dedicated to Whitewebbs - whitewebbspark.org.uk. In the near future Mr Wilkinson and others will be reconstituting the Friends of Whitewebbs Park, drawing supporters from the 120+ people who attended a public meeting in early November and from others who attended the Green Belt Forum meeting last week.

The petition will be available to sign until 31st January. It reads as follows:

We the undersigned petition the Council to:

1. Call upon the Council to avoid any measures or developments that will in any way restrict the citizens of Enfield from freely enjoying full access to the woodlands, amenities, current physical activities, golf and the open spaces of Whitewebbs Park.
2. Ask that the Council restrict developments and landholding in the park to those that will maintain full use of the park by ordinary citizens and to those that will not damage or radically change the atmosphere, usage and environment of the park.
3. Ask that no development will be permitted that will have an adverse effect on the climate and air quality of Enfield through construction work and traffic generation.
4. Ask that nothing be done that will adversely affect the ancient woodland and biodiversity of the whole park.
5. Ask that there be full public consultation with all interested park users before any proposals are agreed and implemented.

Also on the petition page is the following background information:

Enfield Chase Protection – Whitewebbs Park

The Enclosure Acts from the 1770s to the early 1800s allowed the rich and the powerful, through leases and freehold purchase, to divide up and enclose the common land of Enfield Chase. Through the greed of the rich and influential and ineffectual action by parish councils, the poor got little or nothing for their loss of rights and benefits.

In 1931 Enfield Urban District Council redressed this to some extent by purchasing the 243 acres Whitewebbs Park Estate as public open space for the people of Enfield. The park contains 140 acres of ancient woodland and a 103 acre public golf course. It is a unique relic of the historic Enfield Chase in Enfield.

The park is open to all, with free parking for about 100 cars, a small café and many footpaths that allow visitors to enjoy the open spaces and woodland. It makes an important contribution to the mental and physical health of Enfield residents. The golf course provides low cost physical activity for ordinary citizens who cannot afford to, or do not want to, join a private club.

The ancient woodland with its magnificent oaks and hornbeams helps clean the air of Enfield and makes a significant local contribution to combating climate change. The trees and open spaces, including the golf course make a major contribution to the biodiversity of the borough.

While it is poorly served by public transport this metropolitan park has adequate free car parking making it accessible to people from all over the borough, the young, the old, the infirm, the recovering, families with young children, runners and walkers, riders and cyclists.