Crews Hill on Brink of Being Sold for Development as Government Eyes it as Potential New Town.
A tranquil haven on the outskirts of North London, Crews Hill is a haven of garden centres, winding country lanes, and lush green spaces that feels worlds away from the urban sprawl of the capital. Dubbed the "Golden Mile", this sleepy corner has been home to generations of small, family-run businesses selling plants, fencing, and paving. However, their tranquility may be short-lived as the government considers Crews Hill and its adjacent Chase Park for development into a new town.
The housing secretary's taskforce has identified Crews Hill as one of the most promising sites, alongside Tempsford in Bedfordshire and Leeds South Bank. With housebuilding mired in its deepest slump since the start of the Covid pandemic, the project takes on greater significance as Labour seeks to build 1.5 million homes during this parliament.
Critics warn that Crews Hill is under threat from those who would seek to develop the site for housing. The local businesses, many of which have been operating in the area for decades, fear they will be forced out if the government proceeds with the plan. Emma Breeze, owner of Three Counties Garden and Leisure Buildings, which has been selling garden sheds and workshops since 1988, expressed her concerns: "We're in limbo at the moment... We don't want to go anywhere, but if it comes to it, we will be looking at moving."
Local residents and traders are also up in arms over the proposal. Nina Barnes, owner of the Culver garden centre site which has been in her family for decades, fears that her business could be forced out by the development. She argued that there were more suitable sites available in the area, adding: "Why am I going to willingly sell up a successful business?"
Despite opposition from local businesses and residents, proponents of the plan argue that it would provide much-needed housing for families and workers in London and improve transport links into central London. Housing campaigners have cautiously welcomed the proposal, arguing that big developments are often better than scattered ones.
Enfield Council's track record on delivering housing developments has been called into question, with many criticizing their slow pace of delivery. The council believes that construction could begin before the end of the decade and would be involved in any new town development, which would bring significant investment and improved infrastructure to the borough.
As the government weighs up its options, local businesses and residents are holding out hope that their concerns will be heard and that Crews Hill will remain a haven rather than a battleground for developers.
A tranquil haven on the outskirts of North London, Crews Hill is a haven of garden centres, winding country lanes, and lush green spaces that feels worlds away from the urban sprawl of the capital. Dubbed the "Golden Mile", this sleepy corner has been home to generations of small, family-run businesses selling plants, fencing, and paving. However, their tranquility may be short-lived as the government considers Crews Hill and its adjacent Chase Park for development into a new town.
The housing secretary's taskforce has identified Crews Hill as one of the most promising sites, alongside Tempsford in Bedfordshire and Leeds South Bank. With housebuilding mired in its deepest slump since the start of the Covid pandemic, the project takes on greater significance as Labour seeks to build 1.5 million homes during this parliament.
Critics warn that Crews Hill is under threat from those who would seek to develop the site for housing. The local businesses, many of which have been operating in the area for decades, fear they will be forced out if the government proceeds with the plan. Emma Breeze, owner of Three Counties Garden and Leisure Buildings, which has been selling garden sheds and workshops since 1988, expressed her concerns: "We're in limbo at the moment... We don't want to go anywhere, but if it comes to it, we will be looking at moving."
Local residents and traders are also up in arms over the proposal. Nina Barnes, owner of the Culver garden centre site which has been in her family for decades, fears that her business could be forced out by the development. She argued that there were more suitable sites available in the area, adding: "Why am I going to willingly sell up a successful business?"
Despite opposition from local businesses and residents, proponents of the plan argue that it would provide much-needed housing for families and workers in London and improve transport links into central London. Housing campaigners have cautiously welcomed the proposal, arguing that big developments are often better than scattered ones.
Enfield Council's track record on delivering housing developments has been called into question, with many criticizing their slow pace of delivery. The council believes that construction could begin before the end of the decade and would be involved in any new town development, which would bring significant investment and improved infrastructure to the borough.
As the government weighs up its options, local businesses and residents are holding out hope that their concerns will be heard and that Crews Hill will remain a haven rather than a battleground for developers.
I don't think this is a good idea at all 
. I mean, Crews Hill has been around for ages and it's like the last place that feels peaceful in London right now. All these new developments just seem to bring more traffic and noise pollution 
. The local shops and businesses are what make the area special, not some big housing estates. We need more of those quaint, small towns where you can actually walk down the high street and chat with people 
. This plan just feels like another example of how we're losing our rural charm to make way for more concrete and steel 
.
But I get why the government wants to develop it - we're talking housing crisis and all that. 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliament is like a big ol' task, and they gotta make some tough decisions.
It's not just about the housing - it's about community and character. Local businesses are worried about being pushed out, and that's a valid concern.
Fingers crossed Crews Hill stays true to its roots...
I'm worried about the future of Crews Hill if it gets sold for development. It's already beautiful the way it is, with all those garden centres and quiet lanes. The idea of losing those little family-run businesses is heartbreaking. They're such an important part of the community. Can't they find somewhere else to build a new town? 
The Golden Mile nickname is what makes Crews Hill so special, and if we lose that, we'll basically lose the heart of the village too... 
it has been around 4eva & now they wanna destroy it?! 
i feel so bad for emma breeze & nina barnes & all the other shop owners who could lose their businesses 
cant we just find a way to make it work? 
maybe build around crews hill instead of on top of it? 
idk but pls dont let them do this!! 
Like, what's the point of even havin' a council if you're not gonna deliver? 
How about we just preserve the charm of this place instead? It's not like it needs all that extra development to be worth livin' there. 
like enfield council has been slow to deliver on their promises already lol what if they just mess up this project too? 
anyway lets keep our fingers crossed that the gov wont go through with it 
they've been around for ages and now it sounds like their homes might be at risk if the government goes ahead with the plan. i mean, i get that we need more housing but can't we find a way to do it without ruining all the charm of the place? 
i mean sure housing is bad but do we really need to destroy all the local businesses and homes in one go? 
anyone else worried about crewshill?! 
... maybe instead of destroying existing shops, they could focus on revitalizing them or finding alternative uses that benefit both locals & developers 