The London elections will be held in early May and we wrote to the Mayoral candidates and those running to be Enfield’s GLA rep to ask for commitments to Green Belt protection. So far, we have heard from Dr. Katie Knight, the Green candidate for the GLA rep and from a representative of Susan Hall, the Conservative candidate for Mayor. Their replies follow. We will add any more that we get.
Dr. Katie Knight
Thank you for contacting me regarding this crucial issue.
As the Green Party GLA candidate for Enfield and Haringey, I am strongly
opposed to development of green belt land surrounding our area.
Building on green belt land damages habitats, disrupts ecosystems and
destroys precious green space. Our local cultural heritage is bound up
in the spaces that Enfield Council proposes to use for new development.
The magnitude of loss, if this were to go ahead, cannot be overstated.I will of course be submitting my objection to the proposals during the
Regulation 19 consultation, and if elected to the GLA I will be a vocal
opponent of Enfield Council’s plan to develop the green belt. I will
also advocate for practical and equitable solutions to our borough’s
housing crisis – building on the green belt does nothing to alleviate
the lack of social housing provision.As a local resident I am keenly aware of Enfield Council’s recent
controversial decisions regarding development of the Local Plan.I have written to Enfield Council regarding the Clay Hill housing scheme
(which as you will be aware, is a brownfield site) – urging the council
to reconsider its ‘approval in principle’ and return to the developers
with further requirements to address some notable environmental concerns
(lack of public transport options, and failure to require the new homes
to be built to low-carbon, heat efficient standards).I have submitted an official representation to the GLA Planning
Committee (on behalf of Enfield Green Party) highlighting major concerns
regarding Enfield Council’s lack of transparency around the social
housing provision in the Brimsdown housing scheme.This demonstrates that I am a candidate who is aware of local planning
issues, that I understand how these intersect with the housing crisis in
our borough, and that I am motivated to challenge those in power.I would be happy to meet in person or online to hear more about your
organisation, and to help me understand how I as the Green Party GLA
candidate might best represent you if I was elected.Best wishes
Katie Knight
Susan Hall
Susan Hall understands the strength of feeling on the proposed loss of Green Belt. She would be strongly opposed to the de-designation of Green Belt land as proposed in Enfield’s draft Local Plan. Though she cannot pre-determine any future planning decision, as Mayor she would seek to make full use of GLA powers to protect the Green Belt. In the meantime, she would expect the current Mayor to reject the draft local plan if it comes before him for decision.
The Reform UK party responded on behalf of their Mayoral and GLA candidates as follows: They will be happy to back the campaign to stop building on the green belt and use brownfield sites or TFL sites.