Spurs' plans for new training facility in London park blocked by high court

A high court judge has quashed Enfield council's decision to grant planning permission for Tottenham Hotspur to build a new women's and girls' football academy on 6.5 hectares of land in Whitewebbs Park, north London. The campaign group Guardians of Whitewebbs argued the decision was unlawful because councillors were not provided with all relevant environmental impact information, specifically an ecologist's report that warned about the loss of 40% of the park. The council withdrew its defence, but Spurs opposed the challenge, arguing the outcome would have been the same. Judge Sir Tim Kerr ruled the result 'could well have been different' had the information been available, quashing the approval. He dismissed bias claims as 'weak'. Spurs had agreed a 25-year lease for the site in 2023, and the plans included 10 football pitches near the club's men's training facilities.