Crews Hill: London’s Ambitious New Town Project Unveiled

The UK Government is considering a ‘New Town' development at Crews Hill in north London's Enfield Borough, aiming to address the capital's severe housing shortage. This ambitious plan proposes up to 21,000 new homes, alongside essential amenities like schools, GP surgeries, and shops, encompassing Vicarage Farm, to be rebranded as Chase Park. This town-sized project, unprecedented in London for decades, seeks to provide much-needed housing, particularly family-suitable three- and four-bedroom houses, contrasting with the prevalence of apartment blocks in new London developments. Enfield Council aspires for 50% of the housing to be affordable or council housing, enabling local families to remain in the area.

Currently, Crews Hill is known for its garden centres, plant nurseries, a small population of around 500, and The Plough pub. A significant aspect of the proposal involves building on Green Belt land, a policy shift by the government to tackle the housing crisis where brownfield sites are unavailable. While this means sacrificing existing green spaces, the New Towns Taskforce suggests much of the land is “low value” (commercial nurseries, golf courses). Furthermore, plans could include creating new public parkland, rewilding Enfield Chase, and establishing wetland habitats, potentially leading to a net increase in biodiversity and public accessibility.

However, the scheme faces substantial opposition. Groups like Enfield RoadWatch and The Enfield Society dispute the ‘poor quality' assessment of the Green Belt and voice serious concerns about the scale of development. Many local businesses, including garden centres and a golf course, would face compulsory purchase. Transport infrastructure is another critical challenge; Crews Hill's currently underused railway station and the local road network would require significant upgrades to cope with the influx of residents and traffic. The project is currently shortlisted, with a government decision expected in Spring 2026, followed by extensive consultations and potential legal challenges before any construction could begin.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/housing/london-s-new-town-at-crews-hill-what-s-happening)