'For your information we are currently meeting with the council with a proposal for an alternative sports use which would eliminate any further inert material being brought onto site.'
TBAAG found out about this 'alternative sports use' development when, almost a month after the letter was written, they requested a copy of the letter for their files and discovered the postscript.
We have now investigated the situation with EFDC and found out that the developers have met with members of the planning department and they are in the preliminary stages of negotiation. The 'alternative sports use' proposal is the development of a football academy. Apparently West Ham United Football Club have approached the development team, Trustees of the H & M Smith 1991 Settlement & P Newman t/a Parsonage Golf, formerly called Blunts Farm Estates Limited.
No details of the proposals are available at the moment, however TBAAG have written to Mr Henry Smith of Aitch Group and he replied that he will revert to us when he has something to report.
The Guardian last week covered the story on its front page;
HAMMERS EYE UP BLUNTS FARM SITE 'West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson has made it clear that a new training ground is priority in the club's future plans and land co-owner Phil Newman told the Guardian "We are in talks with West Ham. They have visited the site and positive discussions are going on."'
This developer has seriously affected the residents of Theydon Bois and Abridge for some years and has proved that they do not have the best interests of the villages at heart in their pursuit of profit. These plans must be treated with the utmost suspicion. In 2002 Tottenham Hotspur Football Club applied for a training academy in Epping Lane, EPF/1050/02, the proposal was for a 'Football academy comprising a training building, natural and artificial sport pitches, associated parking, landscaping and ancillary facilities'.
The application was unanimously rejected by the EFDC District Development Control Committee. After surveying the plans for 24 football pitches, a large central building, car parking and perimeter fencing, the Committee agreed that the impact on the environment and landscape would be unacceptable. After this application was rejected, in June 2003 the Old Foresters land behind Theydon Bois station was identified as a possible site for the Tottenham Football academy. Apparently at the time about 40-60 acres of land were surplus to the requirements of the golf development and the developer Aitch Group and its subsidiary Parsonage Golf (Trustees of the H & M Smith 1991 Settlement & P Newman t/a Parsonage Golf) were keen to promote the idea of a football academy.
At the November 2003 TBPC meeting it was minuted 'Should Tottenham Hotspur Football Club be interested in purchasing land behind the station on the Old Foresters site we have had an assurance from Lambourne Parish Council, and other Parish Councils who opposed the proposals at Abridge, that we can count on their support against any similar proposals for a Football Academy in Theydon Bois.' Tottenham have now found an alternative site and have applied to Enfield Council to build a training centre on 52 acres of historic protected land. Application TP/05/1741 which was withdrawn in April 2006 comprised; Land east of Bulls Cross, rear of Myddelton House: Construction of a football training centre involving erection of a part 2, part 3-storey building (incorporating basement), to provide football academy facilities with indoor football pitch, together with a total of 12 x external pitches (1 x floodlit grass, 1 x floodlit artificial, 10 x grass), installation of mesh fencing and associated pathways, together with erection of groundsmans' store, entry lodge with barrier and electricity sub-station. Construction of access road off Whitewebbs Lane with associated car and coach parking, and landscaping. Bulls Cross Open Space: Erection of a 2-storey community partnership sports building accommodating sports hall, offices, education areas and associated facilities, together with 4 football pitches (1 x artificial, 3 x grass), fencing, landscaping, associated car parking and access road off Bullsmoor Lane. https://forms.enfield.gov.uk/ufs/ufsmain?esessionid=3 The Enfield Independant commented in October 2005, 'The announcement that Tottenham Hotspur plans to set up a training ground and sporting facilities in Enfield is sure to spark heated debate. The football giant wants to expand on protected land in Bulls Cross to the horror of conservationists keen to maintain historic green space in the borough, once the stomping ground of Henry VIII. Spurs has long been searching for a new training home and has met objections along the way. Neighbouring Epping kicked a plan out when the club set its sights on expanding its existing training ground in the area. While there are those who would argue that it would be exciting to have such a big club lay down roots in the borough there are also those who believe supersize football pitches and modern buildings would destroy the character of the area. Floodlights could dazzle neighbourhoods and extra traffic could clog our roads. While we must move with the times, and embrace change, there is also a need to preserve our borough's history and sacred green space. Will Spurs receive the red card or romp home to victory? It looks set to be a long and muddy battle.' 'Football giant Tottenham Hotspur's plans to create a high- tech training ground in Bulls Cross threaten to destroy protected land. The club wants to create a huge leading edge' training centre along with four full-size football pitches and seven practice pitches on Green Belt land surrounding historic Myddelton House and Bulls Cross sports ground. The multi-million pound facilities for its first team and academy players would include a fitness and rehabilitation gymnasium, hydrotherapy and treatment areas and changing rooms. An education suite and computer centre for youth academy players and the creation of a community partnership development, which would involve local youngsters in the game is also on the cards. The land, which is owned by Enfield Council, and makes up the bulk of the Forty Hall estate, dates back to Tudor times, and was once the Royal deer park of 16th century Elsynge Palace. Other parties which take an interest in the land include the Lee Valley Regional Parks Authority which owns nearby Myddleton House and Capel Manor College which rents part of the land for horticultural projects. Spurs has submitted a planning application to Enfield Council which involves renting the land for 75 years. The proposal is set to be considered later in the year. If it is approved, the project could be underway in around three years. The plan has drawn criticism from conservationists who want to save the land's special character'. Colin Pointer, vice president of the Enfield Preservation Society, said: "We have major concerns. "The proposal is contrary to the Unitary Development Plan which protects Green Belt land. This would be a private development made by an elitist club, which would take the area out of the public realm." Ward councillor Tony Dey added: "I support sport as far as possible but I don't want to see buildings built on the ground." Meanwhile Spurs has organised for residents to take a look at the plans at the Pavilion building, Myddleton House Sports Grounds, Bulls Cross, on October 21, from 2pm until 8pm and October 22 from 10am until 2pm. Daniel Levy, chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, said: "In designing the facility we have worked hard to ensure it is sympathetic to the local surroundings and environment, and that it will be of real benefit to the local community. We shall be consulting the populace and hope they will welcome this scheme and the contribution it makes to this area." The club already has a small training area in Bulls Cross. It submitted its ambitious planning application for a super-sized sports facility in Enfield after Epping Council turned down its bid to expand its current training facilities in Chigwell.' www.enfieldtown.org.uk/thfc.asp The Epping Lane application was rejected on Green Belt grounds then and nothing has changed, this is still Metropolitan Green Belt and as such should be protected at all costs. Let's hope the local Parish and District Councillors still feel the same way. EFDC may be keen for a compromise to 'solve this great problem', but not at the expense of our Metropolitan Green Belt.