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High Court judge dismisses Enfield Council’s planning permission for the project in Whitewebbs Park
Whitewebbs Park in Enfield
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Michael Howie, Senior News Editor
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Tottenham Hotspur has had its planning permission for a new women and girls’ training facility on a north London park quashed by a High Court judge.
In a ruling on Monday, Sir Tim Kerr struck down Enfield Council’s green light for the project in Whitewebbs Park.
The decision is a victory for campaign group Guardians of Whitewebbs, which argued the council’s decision to grant planning permission for a new women and girls’ football academy on 16 acres of land was unlawful.
The group’s lawyers told an earlier hearing in London the council breached the rules when making its decision, as councillors were not provided with all relevant information regarding the development’s environmental impact, meaning they were “materially misled”.
They also claimed there was a “real possibility of bias” in the decision as Spurs had “unparalleled access” to senior council figures at the time of the application.
Enfield Council, which was Labour-controlled at the time but is now run by a Conservative minority administration, withdrew its defence to the claim last month.
But Spurs continued to oppose the challenge, claiming it should be dismissed as the result “would inevitably have been the same” had the information been provided.
It also said that allegations of bias were “completely overblown”.
In his ruling, Sir Tim dismissed claims concerning potential bias, describing the group’s arguments as “weak” and stating that “cordial relations” between the council and the club were “normal given the overlapping functions and interests”.
The club agreed a 25-year lease for the site in 2023 – a decision that was unsuccessfully challenged at the High Court in 2024 – and the council resolved to approve the planning application in February last year.
A general view of Whitewebbs Park in north London
In Pictures via Getty Images
The plans would have seen the construction of 10 football pitches and other work on the park, which is near the club’s men’s training facilities.
Jenny Wigley KC, for Guardians of Whitewebbs, said in written submissions that in November 2024, ecologist Giles Sutton had carried out a report into the environmental benefits of the plans.
Mr Sutton told the council that while he did not oppose the scheme “as such”, it was “counter-intuitive” to accept the club’s claims that the site would benefit the local environment as around 40% of the park would be lost, adding: “In my opinion, if the council were to accept this, their decision could be easily challenged.”
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But Ms Wigley said that council officers said in a planning report for councillors that there was “no objection to the proposed development”, despite Mr Sutton telling the authority that this did not reflect his advice.
The barrister continued that Mr Sutton’s report “clearly informed the planning officers’ views” on the environmental impact of the scheme, and should have been presented as a “background document”, meaning members of the public could have inspected it.
She said the law “does not permit this kind of salami slicing, where a planning officer can disclose parts of a report they agree with but can avoid public scrutiny of the parts of the report they do not agree with”.
James Maurici KC, for Spurs, said Mr Sutton’s views were “no more than an assertion” and that Guardians of Whitewebbs had “failed to provide any evidence” that it had been prejudiced by the council’s failure to provide the document.
He continued: “It is highly likely, indeed inevitable, given the absence of any evidence of prejudice, that the outcome for the claimant would not have been substantially different if the conduct complained of had not occurred.”
But Sir Tim said the council’s non-compliance with rules was “serious” and that councillors were “materially misled” by the exclusion of Mr Sutton’s report.
The judge also said the club was “wrong to submit” that “there is nothing that (Guardians of Whitewebbs) could or would have usefully said if Mr Sutton’s ecological report had been disclosed”.
He said: “It was important for the public to have access to (Mr Sutton’s report) before the meeting precisely because its content was not correctly represented in the officers’ report.”
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It has been a busy summer already for Spurs, who have moved quickly to overhaul the squad after narrowly dodging relegation last season. Among the new faces are Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, brought in for over £200m.
Meeting the press after beating Auckland FC 2-0 in a pre-season friendly, the Italian said of his summer plans: “We don't want to take any risk of potential injuries. We have to improve the physical condition, because we need running to play football.
“We have to be stronger, we have to work on the knowledge of the play, the style of play we put inside the new players, because we have very important new players.
“I think we can be happier at the end of this transfer market, because I spoke a lot of time with the owner, with the board, and they want to build a very strong team for this season for sure, but to make the base for the future to become great again.”
Mikey Moore, 18, spent last season on loan at Rangers and became a fast fan favourite. He has impressed in pre-season since joining back up with Tottenham, but De Zerbi remained coy on his future.
“We have to see,” he said, asked whether Moore might be sent on loan again. “We have to analyse the last part of the transfer market, because we try to bring wingers, and then we speak with him, with his agent, with the club, to find the best solution for everyone.”
There is plenty of excitement around Luca Williams-Barnett, too, after the midfielder shone in both of Tottenham’s summer friendlies so far. He tore through MK Dons at Hotspur Way last week, and was rewarded with a start against Auckland.
De Zerbi said he and his academy team-mates could prove key for Spurs: “Luca is a big talent, very young, big talent. Malachi [Hardy] is another good player for the future of the club. We can't forget the young players, especially for the new rules, the financial fair play, or the rules of the Champions League, Europa League.
“And then we have to improve our academy. We have to help them produce more players, because we need it and it's important for the club.”
It took just 12 minutes for Spurs to open the scoring as a creative Gray pass unlocked the Auckland defence, playing Manor Solomon in behind. His shot was saved but fell for Scarlett to fire home on the rebound, and Tottenham took that advantage into half-time.
James Maddison was not involved in the match. He tore his ACL on Tottenham’s pre-season tour last summer, and De Zerbi confirmed he was simply unwilling to risk the player as he builds back to full fitness: “He's not working the last five days, I think, like Udogie, but they have not a big problem, just to stay focused, don't take any risks and then for the next game, the next friendly game against Sydney.
De Zerbi continued, insisting the 20-year-old Gray was fully deserving of the captain’s armband: “Archie is young, but he's an old player, as a mentality, as a performance, as an experience, as a career.
“But the young players have to push, because with me as a coach, they have the chance to play. Logically, they have to show me they are ready, they have qualities, they have a mentality to play in this club.
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Roberto De Zerbi said he is prepared to let Lucas Bergvall leave Tottenham this summer as he pushes for a move away from north London .
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There have been plenty of new arrivals at Tottenham in the early days of the transfer window, but Bergvall is in line to be among the first departures. Standard Sport understands he has submitted a transfer request in the hopes of improving his playing time and finding opportunities to play as a No8, his preferred position.
Tottenham have received plenty of interest in the player and rejected bids from Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.
Bergvall, though, has his heart set on a move, and De Zerbi is ready to let that happen, saying he only wants to work with players who have bought into his project.
Speaking from Auckland, where Tottenham are on pre-season tour, De Zerbi began: “Listen, I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, 'Who doesn't want to stay in Tottenham, who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave'.
Lucas Bergvall impressed at the World Cup but returns to Tottenham with his future in flux
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“I want proud players who are happy to stay here and to go on the pitch at Tottenham Stadium with a big motivation.
“If you think also in the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference. The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team.”
Bergvall, whose contract runs until 2031, is understood to have been frustrated this summer by a lack of contact with De Zerbi, leading to the belief that he is not in the Italian’s plans.
In spite of that, he has made the trip to New Zealand with his team-mates for pre-season, and De Zerbi said he plans to hold talks with the player in the coming days with an eye to resolving the situation in a way that suits all parties.
Roberto De Zerbi will hold talks with Lucas Bergvall in Auckland
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“I have not spoken with Lucas yet, I will in the next days. And we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us.
“Without problems, Lucas is a big, big talent. There will be a big competition to play because at the end I think we will be two players for each position.
“If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with Johan Lange, with Vinai (Venkatesham). It's not my business after the decision to leave (if that happens).”
Bergvall is thought to be open to a move anywhere in Europe, but hopes to stay in the Premier League.
Tottenham face A-League champions Auckland FC in their second pre-season friendly of the summer in the small hours of Sunday morning for UK viewers, with subsequent matches booked against Sydney FC and Chelsea.
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Spurs have been one of the more active Premier League clubs this summer, bringing in six new faces before the start of pre-season as the club aim to right the wrongs of the last two campaigns.
Martin Dubravka, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson have arrived in north London on free transfers, while Jan Paul van Hecke has joined from Brighton in a £52million deal to bolster Tottenham’s defence.
However, amid links to the likes of Eli Junior Kroupi, Savinho and Pedro Neto and Rafael Leao, De Zerbi has confirmed Spurs will now turn attentions to bolstering their attack in the hope of at least two more additions.
“Yes, the target now is to complete the attacking positions,” the Italian said at a news conference.
“We want the first target, the first level, because anyway we are already important players, but I think to start the new project we need another couple of important players, for sure.”
While Spurs are open for more arrivals, Lucas Bergvall could be heading through the exit door as he seeks regular game time in is preferred midfield role next season.
Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have both seen bids for the Sweden international rejected but De Zerbi has made it clear that he will not block a move if a deal can be agreed.
“Listen, I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, who doesn't want to stay in Tottenham? Who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave,” De Zerbi added.
“I want the players to be proud and happy to stay here, to go on the pitch in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with big motivation. Because now in football, if you think also in the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference. The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team.
“I have not spoken with Lucas yet. I will in the next days and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us, without problems, Lucas is a big, big talent.
“There will be a big competition to play because at the end, I think we will be two players for each position. If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with Johan Lange, with Vinai.
Spurs look to make it two wins from two as they head down under
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Roberto De Zerbi has delivered an update on Mohammed Kudus as the Tottenham star closes in on a return from injury.
Kudus has not played for Spurs since the beginning of January because of a quad injury he sustained very early in the 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland.
After three months on the sidelines, the Ghana international was on course to make his comeback and hand De Zerbi a major boost for the relegation run-in after returning to full training.
However, it was announced that Kudus had suffered a setback in his recovery, thus missing the final seven games of the Premier League season and the World Cup.
The 25-year-old, though, is in the final stages of his rehabilitation and is on course to join in full training once the squad returns from their summer tour of New Zealand and Australia next month.
De Zerbi, speaking ahead of the pre-season friendly against Auckland FC, said: “Kudus is very close. I think when we come back to London he will be available to start working with us.
The Italian also delivered an update on Dejan Kulusevski, who has not played for Spurs, since May 2025.
He added: “Kulusevski, we have to see in the next couple of weeks. He's another important player.
“After one season, one complete season, without a game, we have to analyse better and better, don't take risks, first of all for him and then for us.”
Guglielmo Vicario has been left out of the Spurs pre-season tour squad because of an injury, but De Zerbi insists the issue is not serious.
Tottenham's pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia gets underway in the early hours on Sunday morning when they take on Auckland FC at Eden Park.
Spurs began their preparations for the new campaign with a 1-0 win over MK Dons in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday, but travelling supporters will now have the chance to watch Roberto De Zerbi's new-look side in person for the first time.
After an aggressive summer of spending so far, during which Spurs have already splashed more than £200million on six new players, expectations are high despite successive 17th-place finishes in the Premier League.
Argentina centre-back Marcos Senesi is the only new signing not to travel as part of the 35-man Spurs squad for their pre-season tour, with Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke and Martin Dubravka all included.
Other notable absentees include goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who suffered what Spurs described as a "minor knock", as well as Pape Matar Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur. Sarr and Bentancur have both been granted extended leave following the World Cup.
Those involved in the latter stages of the World Cup, such as Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence, have also not travelled.
It is unclear yet whether Vicario and Romero have played their last games for Spurs, with the pair both heavily linked with moves away from the club.
Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert, meanwhile, will all remain at Hotspur Way as they continue their rehabilitation from respective long-term injuries.
The absence of several key first-team players has opened the door for youngsters like Luca Williams-Barnett, who impressed against MK Dons, and Mikey Moore to showcase their talents and De Zerbi will be hoping his side can build on their winning start to pre-season.
Auckland FC finished third in the A-League last season and a record crowd is expected at Eden Park on Sunday to welcome Spurs, who are likely to once again field a different starting lineup in each half.
Tottenham embark on their pre-season tour of Asia and Oceania tonight, facing Auckland FC in New Zealand.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men started their summer preparations by beating MK Dons 1-0 behind closed doors at Hotspur Way.
Summer signing Mateus Fernandes scored the only goal of the game with less than three minutes played, rattling an emphatic volley in off the post.
It was a strong debut for the former West Ham and Southampton man, who rather upstaged fellow new signing Sandro Tonali.
Plenty of academy youngsters impressed in the match, too, with Luca Williams-Barnett and Malachi Hardy both putting in good shifts ahead of travelling to New Zealand.
De Zerbi has brought a strong squad on this trip, and will hope to hand out further debuts to the likes of Jan Paul van Hecke and Andy Robertson, who were not deemed ready to face the Dons.
This match is the first of three Tottenham will play on this particular tour, with Chelsea and Sydney next on the running order.
Auckland will pose an interesting test after they won the A-League last year and sent several players to the World Cup with New Zealand.
Tottenham will face a tricky test to shake off stiff legs and jetlagged heads as they prepare to kick off barely 48 hours after touching down.
TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised live.
Live stream: Fans can follow the action live through Tottenham’s in-house streaming service, Spursplay. An annual subscription to Spursplay can be purchased through the club’s website for £45.