Welcome

This is the website for the Enfield Town Residents Association (ETRA). Stronger Together.

GUARDIANS OF WHITEWEBBS
The Guardians of Whitewebbs is a campaign group dedicated to the preservation of Whitewebbs.
They have organised a Nature Walk of What Would Be Lost.
The walk is set for February 7th, starting at 11am from Whitewebbs Cafe
For more info please visit Guardians of Whitewebbs

THE NIGHTINGALE CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE
The Nightingale Centre has two events coming up.
The first is the Prostate Cancer Talk, with Errol McKellar on Wednesday 4th February at 6:30pm, and will be held at the Nightingale Centre, 187a Baker Street, EN1 3JT, and is a private space to learn more about prostate cancer, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment and receive a free PSA Test Kit which helps to detect prostate problems. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in British males, and we want to encourage as many men as possible to attend so they can begin to feel more comfortable around the subject, advovate for themselves in appointments, and not feel as alone or scared.
The talk is free to attend. Here is the link for registration:
Nightingale Cancer Support

PALACE GARDENS UPDATE
Members of the Enfield Town Residents’ Association Committee met the Project Team on Wednesday 10th December, prior to the consultation.
Please see below a list of initial concerns raised by members of ETRA to the committee
about the proposed development of Palace Gardens. The concerns focus on a limited number of core themes:

Trust and consultation approach following previous schemes
Protection of the surrounding conservation areas
Scale and height of development
Residential mix and associated pressure on local infrastructure
The nature and management of any nighttime economy
Construction impact and mitigation
Transparency around appointed consultants
Access to full plans and verified visuals
Treatment of trees and landscaping
Parking and access arrangements
The wider effect on surrounding retail streets beyond the Palace Gardens site

1. General opinion
Following our experience of the appalling scale and rushed consultation timeframe of
the previous Deutsche Bank proposal, minimal trust in the integrity of this new venture
was clearly evident. If the new project leaders want to gain the trust of local people and
not face a constant battle from wide-scale, strong and co-ordinated opposition from
local organisations, they will need to work hard to demonstrate their integrity this time.
The fears of our members are substantiated by examples close to us, where the local
environment has been wrecked by so-called ‘development’ and progress. For example: –
Waltham Cross
Edmonton Green
Wood Green
These examples cited are of high streets and urban centres, which have never recovered
from high-rise development and mass building of dense domestic dwellings and retail
constructions.
They were once thriving suburbs with a strong sense of community. Now, in the opinion
of our members, they are decaying urban areas with increasing anti-social behaviour
and high levels of violent crime, where people are scared to go out, particularly at night.
2. Protection of surrounding conservation area
Enfield Town has a large conservation area, which many of our members live in. We
want assurance and proof that efforts will be made well beyond the statutory duties to
protect the essence of the neighbourhood.
Who are the heritage specialists and what is their level of involvement in this project?
We would request on-going access to them for constructive discussion.
3. Height of the construction
After the previous 27-storey proposal, this matter is, understandably, also of primary
concern. Members are particularly wary, given the spate of high-rise buildings rising up
in the vicinity over recent years. Indeed, they are passionate that the new construction
should not dominate the local environment, with extremely negative impact on the
character of the conservation area surrounding the site.
4. Construction of private dwellings
How many? Mix of rental and private? Size of dwellings?
Given the possible prospect of an additional volume of residents, what will be done to
increase essential support services, such as: –
Hospitals – particularly A&E
GP and dental surgeries
Schools and nurseries
Policing
Lighting and security
Car parking, which is currently difficult enough for local residents as it is
5. Nighttime economy
The idea of an idealised vibrant nighttime economy sounds fantastic on one level, with
the prospect of smart restaurants, cafés, bars and boutique cinemas. All very lovely!
However, we have close experience of this going disastrously wrong – as is clearly
evident in the likes of the previously mentioned local areas.
6. Construction facilitation
What is the timescale of the proposed construction, as well as the impact on local life?
What necessary management is planned to minimise disruption to local residents and
shoppers?
7. Full list of appointed consultants
Please supply a list of all consultants appointed to ensure the best possible
construction of the site.
8. Sight of all plans and visuals
Requests have been made to see full plans and visuals, including perspective from the
ground from all vantage points.
9. Trees
We do not want to see any trees whatsoever destroyed as a result of this project.
10. Parking for cars and bikes
What is the planned scale of parking availability for shoppers and residents, as well as
number of disabled, blue and brown badge holders?
What is the planned location of any possible additional parking?
Costs of resident parking is currently prohibitive for many people – are there any
thoughts on that, given the obvious impact more dwellings and retail units will have on
parking in the area for existing local residents?
Are any additional cycle sheds planned? If so, where?
11. Access to Palace Gardens
Requests for more access to Palace Gardens, particularly from Cecil Road.
12. Landscaping
Need for appropriate landscaping, in keeping with the conservation area surrounding
this site.
13. Impact on local shops not located in Palace Gardens
We have seen a gradual emptying and decline in the quality of shops, which are not part
of Palace Gardens, along Church Street, London Road, Silver Street and in the
immediate vicinity of Enfield Town station.
Many are now vacant or occupied by charity shops, dodgy takeaways and ‘barbers’,
which make the area look shabby. It is our belief that further development of Palace
Gardens will have an even greater negative impact on these units, as existing retailers
migrate.
Has any thought been put into the likely impact on these shops and what can be done to
stop these streets looking like downmarket ghost towns?
In conclusion
Our members understand the need for positive change.
Palace Gardens is currently an ugly 1980s construction, requiring considerable
improvement. We are genuinely seeking ongoing and constructive dialogue with the
new developers appointed by Deutsche Bank. Also, we understand the need for Palace
Gardens to be commercially viable for investment. However, we are adamant that it
must be undertaken with respect for the heritage and history of Enfield Town, as well as
the wellbeing of existing local residents, the surrounding conservation area and general
environment.
We hope that lessons will have been learnt from the likes of the disastrous local
examples we have highlighted and are entirely committed to ensure a positive outcome
on this crucial project for the future of Enfield Town.

Next Consultation
In early Spring next year the Palace Gardens Project Team will hold a second round of consultations to show how feedback from this initial stage has informed the next phase of the plans. If you have not already given your feedback, you still have a chance to do so.

Click HERE for the Palace Gardens consultation document.

ETRA Committee may be contacted on our general email address:
enfieldtownresidentsassoc@gmail.com

AGM Feedback
We had a very successful AGM and received £125 membership renewal fees at the door.
We would like to thank the guest speakers: Tina Coletta from Love Your Doorstep, Community Police Officers, Councilor Chris Dey, and Alessandro Georgiou for their input.

We are looking to strengthen our committee.
We would love to hear from anybody who would like to be involved. The continuation of our Association depends on local residents volunteering their time. We are specifically looking for someone who can take on the role of  Treasurer, but would also welcome anybody who time to spare and can help in any way whatsoever. Please do get in touch on enfieldtownresidents@gmail.com

ETRA exists to safeguard and promote the interest of residents in the area on all matters that affect our lives, including:

• Planning
• The environment
• Transport
• Parks, leisure and recreation
• Culture and community events and facilities
• Housing
• Services

We do this by informing residents of events and issues in our patch and the surrounding areas through our weekly newsletter; by encouraging residents to engage in consultations, discussions and research; by representing the views of members at meetings and forums across the borough and more widely across London; and by actively campaigning to improve community facilities and services for our members.