More than 850 people have donated towards a review of the football academy in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield
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A crowdfunded bid to block the building of a new training ground on Green Belt land for Tottenham Hotspur’s women’s team is nearing its £30,000 target.
More than 850 supporters have donated to the cost of seeking a High Court review of Enfield council’s decision to allow Spurs to build a “football academy” for women and girls in Whitewebbs Park, Enfield.
Campaign leaders said the success of the fundraising campaign showed there was “widespread support for saving our beautiful park - both locally and further afield”.
They hope that no development will take place until the court has the chance to review the case.
A spokeswoman for the Guardians of Whitewebbs campaign group said: “The amount raised means we can proceed as long as we are granted a ‘costs cap’, which limits the amount of costs we would have to pay if we lost.
“It's great news that locals can hold Enfield council to account when it comes to fencing off and building on vital green space in our park.
“What has been amazing is that 850 people have made donations, which shows the community is really on our side on this.”
Lawyers acting for the Guardians of Whitewebbs have already submitted a request for a judicial review.
To have a chance of victory, they have to prove that the council misled its own councillors when they granted permission, or that it acted irrationally.
The case will only proceed to a full hearing in open court if a judge decides that the campaigners have an “arguable” case.
“We have faith we can achieve a fair result,” the Guardians spokeswoman said. “The decision to allow a private company to enclose and develop part of this beautiful public park needs to be challenged.
“It's not acceptable for us to lose public parkland to private interests. We are working with a talented team at the Public Interest Law Centre and we will do everything in our power to have the decision overturned.”
An Enfield Council spokesperson said: “Enfield Council is confident that proper legal processes and procedures have been followed in the determination of the planning application and will vigorously defend the judicial review.”
It the latest twist in the battle to prevent the construction of the training ground.
Last year, the campaigners failed to overturn the granting of a 25-year lease on the parkland, for which Spurs paid the council £2 million.
With the crowdfunding appeal closing in two days, almost £28,000 had been raised towards the £30,000 “stretch target” to ensure all legal costs of bringing the case are covered.
Enfield council granted Spurs permission for the development in February. Planning consent was ratified in July when Jules Pipe, Sir Sadiq Khan’s deputy mayor for planning, declined to intervene.
At the time, a City Hall spokesperson said “while the proposal represents inappropriate development on the green belt, very special circumstances have been demonstrated”.
The plans had been described as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” by Spurs striker Bethany England, who said the facilities would allow the club to compete with the top teams in the Women’s Super League – Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd and Man City.
But campaigners said there was no reason for Spurs not to allow its women’s squad to use its existing training ground in Enfield that is used by its men’s team.
The development will involve the loss of 40 acres of rewilded grassland and the felling of over 200 trees. The campaign is being backed by organisations including CPRE London, which opposes the sell-off of green spaces to professional sports clubs.
A Spurs spokesperson told the Standard earlier this year: “We are delighted that Enfield Council’s Planning Committee has voted to approve our proposals. This is a special site and one we know extremely well being based next door. Our proposals will secure its future with a green use and ensure it remains an open and inclusive place for local people to enjoy.
“We shall improve local access to nature and habitats, provide new facilities for visitors, community groups, and sports clubs, and put Enfield on the map as a champion of the Women’s and Girls’ game with a best-in-class Academy.
“We should like to thank all those who have engaged with us over the past few years and we shall now work with Enfield Council to conclude the necessary legal agreements. We shall of course continue to keep our local community updated on our next steps.”
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