Following further discussions with Green Issues, acting on behalf of Fairview New Homes, we have the following announcement:

The proposed application and the associated case studies appertaining to "Chequers Way" - formerly referred to as The Metal Box site - has been referred to the "Government for London Office".
The GLO is an organisation  which considers large and controversial case studies at the request of local authorities and / or local government.

This now places the application into a position of long-term negotiations and consideration as opposed to the short-term conclusion we had hoped for. We understand that potentially this could draw no movement on decisions for the foreseeable future based on a period of months and or a year.

Meanwhile, it goes without saying that we have offered our unconditional support to both Green Issues and Fairview's in this regard but members should prepare themselves for a long journey to any conclusion.

I will endeavour to ensure all members are kept up-dated via the web-site and at as regular intervals as possible but if anyone wishes to discuss the matter with me directly feel free to contact me. My contact details can be obtained via Stacy or Claire.

JOHN MARI 11th May 2007

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Fairview New Homes Limited are currently applying to the London Borough of Enfield for permission to re-development the former Metal Box Factory land, which if successful will include a brand new training facility for Enfield Town Ladies Football Club.  The date for inspection of the site by ward members and the planning committee is scheduled for the 23rd January 2007.

This will be an amazing move forward for the Club and the community, as the new site will include an Astro-Turf pitch, changing rooms, showers, Club House and ample car park spaces. 

Without depth of support from our members and associates / friends / supporters, our endeavours to obtain this facility will undoubtedly fail, placing the clubs development back at least three years as the opportunity for such an asset for the club may never reoccur.

Please demonstrate your support for this application by downloading this letter and once signed, forward onto both Cllr Prescott and Cllr Brett at the Civic Centre. 

- Support Letter (pdf format - Adobe Acrobat reader required)

Development and Regeneration Programme of

Chequers Way

London, N13.

In conjunction with

Fairview New Homes Limited (landowner)

&

London Borough of Enfield (local authority)

&

Enfield Town Ladies Football Club

HISTORY

In order for the club to develop and work effectively within the community it became apparent that quality sports facilities to accommodate their members is priority.

Throughout a two-year campaign by the “Ground Search” committee, spearheaded by John Mari and Sharon Harrison-Barker, limited opportunities for sites that could offer sufficient sports facilities for the club began to be a key factor in any negotiations and considerations.

Numerous sites were visited, viewed, measured and enquired about but to no avail and virtually every vacant or dormant piece of land within the borough was placed on a “hit list” for enquires.

Peter Gooch, ever the opportunist, highlighted the vacant site formerly known as “The Metal Box” in Palmers Green and suggested that John visit the site for consideration.  After tracing the landowner – Fairview New Homes Limited - and contacting the Director, John, Sharon and Clare Gooch managed to arrange a meeting with Fairview to put a case forward for both organisations to partner in the development of the site as both residential and recreational (already under application).

The following year involved several meetings between John and Sharon, Fairview and the local authority, together with a meeting at Sport England’s office to discuss funding, all in an attempt to pass the proposals through Ward and seek planning approval for the site.

THE SITE

The site has received a feasibility study on the proposal for residential development to incorporate a recreational area.  This recreational area has been proposed to Ward that it be developed as a sports facility for Enfield Town Ladies FC as the end user, tying in nicely with Fairview’s own statement of commitment to the local community.

Initially, and without knowing the extent of the size of the facility proposed, the club stipulated that grass pitches were their priority and together with a single storey pavilion this was proposed and presented for consideration for development by Fairview’s.    

However, during the preceeding three years the clubs membership has risen by an average of 32% per annum, and in an attempt to maintain its services to the community, the club has found it increasingly difficult to accommodate its members within the existing infrastructure for training facilities.

Theresa, tentatively, John and Sharon proposed to Fairview that an all-weather pitch be installed instead of the junior and mini-soccer pitches originally considered that could resolve the main problem with training arrangemnets and the growth limitations this has placed on the club over the past year.

This was agreed in principle and incorporated within the planning application.

THE PROPOSALS

Land Transfer and Timing of Provision

It is proposed that Fairview New Homes will develop the sports facility and offer the site to ETLFC on a leasehold basis with a possible favoured approach to transfer the land to Enfield Council with the lease in place.

The facility itself shall consist of an all-weather pitch with floodlights, single storey pavillion with changing and welfare facilities, an administration office, 20-30 car parking spaces and storage area.

Facilities Management and Use

ETLFC will need to employ a management team operating from the premises to ensure correct management and maintenance of the site is upheld.

Obviously the primary purpose of the site is as a training ground for the club, but if the club maximise the potential by promoting rental the revenue would be crucial for the development of the club, and allow them to reinvest the capital back into the local community to promote the sport for women and girls.

GET INVOLVED

As like most developments this application has environmental issues and needs to be processed through a committee representing the "Ward".  The project is currently under review and will need immense support for the club members and associates in order to seek approval and hold any chance of success.

Canvassing government and the local authority will be paramount to our plans and demonstration of support the key factor.  Therefore, in the first instance, we ask that all members send a letter to the Chair of the Planning Commitee expressing their support of the application (see draft letter above).