Full Breakdown
Enfield’s Crews Hill New Town: Government Push vs. Local Opposition
6/4/2026, 10:15:00 PM
The Proposed Crews Hill New Town and Council Withdrawal
The UK government’s New Town programme includes a plan for a 21,000-home settlement at Crews Hill, a green-belt village in the north-west of the London borough of Enfield. On 8 May 2024, newly elected Conservative council leader Alessandro Georgiou formally withdrew Enfield Council from the programme, citing a mandate to protect the borough’s green belt.
Background: Housing Targets and the New Towns Initiative
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s administration has set ambitious house-building targets for England, prompting the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to shortlist twelve sites in September 2023 and later narrow them to seven, retaining Crews Hill. The programme is presented as a means to deliver affordable housing and stimulate economic growth.
Key Players
- Sir Keir Starmer – Prime Minister, chairing a meeting of England’s metro mayors on the housing agenda.
- Alessandro Georgiou – Conservative leader of Enfield Council, elected after the 7 May local elections.
- Rod Thompson – Owner of Thompsons of Crews Hill, a family-run soil and paving business employing 70 staff.
- Carol Fisk – Campaigner with Action for Enfield’s Future.
- Sarah Jons – Leader of the Enfield Greens.
- Andrew Carter – Chief executive, Centre for Cities think-tank.
- Jules Pipe – Deputy Mayor for Planning and Regeneration, Greater London Authority.
Timeline of Key Events
- Sept 2023 – MHCLG shortlists Crews Hill among 12 new-town sites.
- Mar 2024 – List narrowed to seven; Crews Hill retained.
- 7 May 2024 – Enfield local elections; Conservatives become largest party, Greens hold balance of power.
- 8 May 2024 – Georgiou writes to Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook withdrawing from the programme.
- 9 May 2024 – Prime Minister Starmer publicly criticises Enfield Council, labeling opponents “naysayers”.
- 10 May 2024 – Starmer chairs metro-mayors meeting; discussion of a mayoral development corporation.
Data and Scale of the Plan
- 21,000 homes proposed, with 50 % designated as affordable.
- Development area: ? 884 hectares (? 2,184 acres).
- Local business impact: Thompsons employs 70 staff; the village hosts hundreds of independent firms employing ? 1,000 people.
- 77 % of Enfield voters backed parties opposing the new town.
- Council cites 700 viable brownfield sites capable of delivering “tens of thousands” of homes.
Official Statements & Responses
Prime Minister Starmer’s Downing Street statement framed Enfield Council as a “blocker” of growth and affirmed that decisions on new towns will be taken in the national interest. A government spokesperson emphasized that the state will back mayors to unlock homes, infrastructure and jobs, even where local authorities resist. Enfield Council’s withdrawal letter stressed a “clear mandate to protect Enfield’s green belt” while pledging to work with the government on brownfield development. Deputy Mayor Jules Pipe described Crews Hill as an “opportunity to deliver sustainable high-quality neighbourhoods” and to address London’s housing crisis.
Local Opposition and Business Concerns
Business owners and campaign groups argue the plan threatens existing employment and green-belt recreation. Rod Thompson warns that his firm “needs a big lot of work and that requires capital investment, but we can’t even think about that with this looming over our heads.” Carol Fisk describes the new towns as “place-breaking”. Sarah Jons of the Enfield Greens calls for “brownfield-first” alternatives, citing Meridian Water and empty properties. Better Homes Enfield’s Matt Burn contends the new town would take “years before it even begins, and several decades to build out”.
Conflicting Views on Viability
The Centre for Cities’ Andrew Carter argues Crews Hill is “an ideal location” for delivering social housing due to its rail link to central London. Opponents counter that brownfield sites could provide “tens of thousands of homes” more quickly, and that green-belt loss would be irreversible. No consensus exists on which approach would meet housing targets faster or with less environmental impact.
Verbatim Quotes
- “we are providing such a service to the people of Enfield and to the people of London, in fact.” — Rod Thompson, proprietor, Thompsons of Crews Hill.
- “The new towns are supposed to be place-making - we see it as place-breaking,” — Carol Fisk, Action for Enfield’s Future.
- “I don't think the infrastructure is here, and (regarding the green belt) once you tarmac over it, it's gone forever.” — Sarah Jons, leader, Enfield Greens.
- “Commenting today, Matt Burn from local campaign group Better Homes Enfield said: “We want the homes Enfield needs to be built quickly, and in sustainable locations.” — Matt Burn, Better Homes Enfield.
- “for 21,000 new homes, in part because of its railway station which offers a direct connection to central London.” — Andrew Carter, Centre for Cities.
What’s Next
The government is reportedly preparing a mayoral development corporation—similar to the Olympic Park model—to oversee the Crews Hill project, which could transfer planning authority from Enfield Council to London City Hall. Transport for London has expressed interest in integrating the Hertford Loop line into the Overground network. Negotiations between the mayor’s office, the MHCLG and Enfield Council are expected to continue as both sides seek a resolution that balances housing delivery with green-belt preservation.
