In the run-up to a meeting to discuss the Enfield Local Plan, the Green Belt, and the borough’s housing crisis, to be held at the Dugdale Centre on 15th September, the editor of Enfield Dispatch takes to the columns of the capital-wide news website On London to describe some of the issues that have arisen so far at the Examination in Public of the plan.
In an article for the On London website, Enfield Dispatch editor James Cracknell summarises some of the issues about building on the Green Belt that have arisen during scrutiny of Enfield Council's new local plan
“It’s not the foothills of the Lake District or the Yorkshire Dales, but in terms of a London context it is a recognisable and highly valuable piece of landscape, and it should be considered as such.”
The words of chartered landscape architect Philip Russell-Vick, quoted by James Cracknell in his article for On London, published this week.
As someone who regularly travels to Enfield Town sitting upstairs on a 121 bus and takes great pleasure at the sight of rolling green fields and woodland on either side of Enfield Road, I too greatly value this picturesque intermission of countryside on an otherwise urban and suburban journey. However, I also recognise that the housing situation in Enfield is far from satisfactory and, even if, as now seems likely, forecasts of a future increase in London's population turn out to be overestimates, new and better homes have to be provided somewhere.
James has been reporting on the slow progress of the controversial Enfield Local Plan in the paper he edits, Enfield Dispatch, and in particular on the lengthy and often abstruse proceedings of the Examination in Public. His piece for On London gives him an opportunity to outline and explain the most recent developments for a wider audience. After all, Enfield isn't the only outer London borough that is likely to be affected by the government's new approach to housebuilding in general and Green Belt in particular, and the consequent reassessment of his position by the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
Given all this, it's appropriate that an Enfield venue should have been chosen by the London Society for a public event where supporters and opponents of building on the Gren Belt will be able to set out their arguments. Described as "a thoughtful and timely discussion on housing, growth, and the future of outer London", the event will take place at the Dugdale Centre on Monday 15th September between 6pm and 8pm. There is a charge to cover the cost of hiring the Dugdale: £15 for London Society members, £25 for non-members.
Where London meets the countryside: Tackling the housing crisis in Enfield
15 Sep 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Dugdale Arts Centre, Thomas Hardy House, 39 London Road EN2 6DS
Join us for a thoughtful and timely discussion on housing, growth, and the future of outer London.
With a new draft of the London Plan on the horizon and pressure mounting to deliver 880,000 new homes across the capital, outer boroughs like Enfield face tough questions—and exciting opportunities.
How do we meet urgent housing needs while respecting the character of existing neighbourhoods? What role should the Green Belt and grey belt play? And how can local people be part of shaping change, rather than feeling left behind by it?
Hosted by The London Society and the Enfield Dispatch, this event brings together local voices—from campaigners to councillors, academics to activists—for a constructive conversation about the future of Enfield and beyond.
Speakers include:
- Jack Brown (King’s College London)
- Cllr Ergin Erbil (Leader, Enfield Council)
- John Murphy (London YIMBY)
- Andrew Lack (Trustee and IT Admin for the Enfield Society)
- Heather Cheesbrough (Town Planner)
- Leanne Tritton (The London Society)
Chaired by Dave Hill (On London) with support from James Cracknell (Enfield Dispatch), this evening is about ideas, not arguments—and how we can build a future that works for everyone.
Book your place today and be part of the conversation. Please note that tickets for events are being released in tranches so if none are currently showing as available, please join the waiting list which will give you first refusal when they are released.
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