News, comment and features

The Department for Communities and Local Government has launched a public consultation about proposed changes to planning laws which are aimed at "streamlining the planning system".  The proposals are described in Technical Consultation on Planning (click on the title to download).  This is a complex 98 page document, but its proposals are summarized by the Department as follows: We are seeking views on proposals which will: make it even easier for residents and business to.......

The People's March for the NHS (also known as the "New Jarrow March") will be passing through Palmers Green on Friday afternoon (5th September) on its penultimate leg, which begins in St Albans at 9am and finishes in Fore Street, Edmonton, where it is expected to arrive at around 5.30pm. The March has been organised to protest against the Coalition Government's NHS reforms.  It set out from Jarrow (near Newcastle on Tyne) on 16th August and will finish at Trafalgar Square this Saturday.......

Enfield Library and Museum Service has provided updated information about arrangements during the closure of Palmers Green Library. The library will not reopen until autumn 2015.  In the meantime, opening hours have been extended at Winchmore Hill, Ridge Avenue and Southgate Circus libraries - click on the image to see the official notice.  In addition, a mobile library will be open in the Lodge Drive car park every Saturday from 9am to 5pm. The Library and Museum Service has a web.......

Not long to go now till the 2014 Palmers Green Festival in Broomfield Park on 7th September. As before, there will be events, activities and stalls to suit all ages and tastes: NEW Music on the Green – from 12 noon local bands and singers at the new performance area on the old Bowling Green, organised by Lester Clayton; Music on the Bandstand returns with an exciting lineup put together by Dexxmaster & DJ Slamz – including Choirs, folk, belly dancing, soul and more! free dance.......

A report based on the findings of a Care Quality Commission inspection into the services provided by the North Middlesex NHS Trust has assigned an overall rating of "Requires Improvement".  However, 60 per cent of services were rated as "Good" and Healthwatch Enfield appears to view the findings as encouraging. Overall summary & rating: Requires improvement Inspection areas Safe: Requires improvement Effective: Good Caring: Good Responsive: Requires improvement Well-led:.......

Enfield Council have refused planning permission for a proposed McDonalds drive-thru restaurant at 188 Bowes Road (on the northern side, nearly opposite the end of Warwick Road and near Ritz Parade).  The refusal notice cites eight grounds for refusal, including the proximity of Broomfield School, "unacceptable break and disruption of the shopping frontage" and the fact that its construction would pre-empt long-term development objectives for this "key opportunity site" that are set out in.......

Enfield Council have notified the public of their intention of introducing some new waiting and loading restrictions at a number of locations, including Bourne Hill.  See the text below. ANGEL CLOSE N18, CAMBRIDGE PARADE GREAT CAMBRIDGE ROAD EN1, GATER DRIVE EN1, HALLSIDE ROAD EN1, LAVENDER ROAD EN1 LAUREL BANK DRIVE EN1, LOCKFIELD AVENUE EN3 andNORFOLK AVENUE N13 - NEW 'AT ANY TIME' WAITING RESTRICTIONSBOURNE HILL N13 - NEW 'MONDAY TO FRIDAY 7AM - 6.30PM' WAITING RESTRICTIONSCHURCH LANE.......

Bus users are being warned not to be taken in by a notice which has appeared on some London bus stops (see photograph).  The notice claims that TfL is giving away 10,000 oyster cards valid for five years or one year.  In actual fact, it appears to be a scam aimed at collecting people's email addresses. For more information see this article on the Evening Standard website........

 A local conservation group in Enfield Town is to launch a campaign to scrap plans for cycle lanes in Church Street and to instead opt for a radical rethink of the road network in the town centre. Some local campaigners in Palmers Green and Winchmore Hill are also thinking along similar lines. The Enfield Town Conservation Area Study Group (ETCASG) opposes the plans put forward by Enfield Council to turn Church Street into a buses and cycles-only road and instead will be asking the Council.......

The long-running saga of the "Turret Court" building in Aldermans Hill will reach another milestone on Tuesday 19th August, when the Planning Inspectorate will be hearing an appeal from the developers, Ballater Investments, against an order issued by Enfield Council requiring them to make a number of changes to the building which, in the view of the Council, had been in breach of planning permission. 110-112 Aldermans Hill before demolitionTurret Court (110-112 Aldermans Hill) is on the site of.......

Chickenshed Theatre is again running a series of theatre workshops for people aged 60 and above. The workshops will be on Mondays from 5pm to 6.30pm for six weeks, beginning on 8th September. The normal cost is £45 for the six weeks, but arrangements are possible for people who cannot afford this much. Participants will be offered free entry to two Community Chorus workshops, on 10th and 17th September at 6.30pm. Unlike the theatre workshops, these are open to younger people - the minimum.......

Enfield Fostering Service are looking for foster carers for children of all ages.  If you think you might be interested, please read the following information or come along to one of the regular Fostering Information Days and Fostering information Evenings held in Edmonton and Enfield Town.  Download a list of upcoming Fostering Information Events. Who needs fostering? Children or young people aged 0 - 18 years old living in Enfield who experience a serious family breakdown to the.......