Green Belt boundaries to be strengthened

The work recommends 30 drafted changes to the Green Belt boundaries with an overall net reduction in the size of the Green belt of approximately three hectares mainly from historical sites that were originally built on or placed in the green belt in error.

Now the Council is inviting residents and landowners to view the work and comment on the proposals Enfield Council's Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration, Cllr Del Goddard said: "This is not about selling off the Green Belt it is about making sure its boundaries are correct.

"These are sensible and proportionate tweaks to the boundaries, where for example they currently pass through property boundaries, rather than wholesale changes to the Green Belt itself.

The proposals propose 13 increases and 17 reductions in the size of the Green Belt as a result of redrawing some of the weaker boundaries.

The total area of Green Belt land in Enfield is 3062 hectares, comprised of farmland, rural parkland, nurseries and glasshouses and river valleys and floodplains.

Around a third of open land in Enfield, mostly around the north, north west and east of the borough is classified as Green Belt Land.

National Green Belt Policy was introduced in the 1950's. The popularity and success of Green Belts has resulted in them remaining a part of national planning policy.

There are five equal purposes of including land in Green Belts:
1. To check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas;
2. To prevent neighbouring towns from merging into one another;
3. To assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;
4. To preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and
5. To assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

Residents will be able to comment on Enfield's Detailed Green Belt Boundary Review between Monday 25th July and Monday 5th September. Plans can be found on the Council's website or in libraries and at Environment Direct reception, Enfield Civic Offices.