9:40am Friday 7th October 2005
By Kate Southern
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.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.enfieldindependent.co.uk