The Council’s proposal to create wetlands at the northern end of Chase Green raises difficult issues. The Society generally views such schemes favourably, and we recognise the benefits this scheme would provide.
At present surface water from the area around the Green is piped into the New River Loop opposite the Crown and Horseshoes. Surface water from the streets tends to be polluted by oil and other chemicals: this contributes to the poor quality of the water in the New River Loop and threatens its biodiversity.
Some years ago an “oil interceptor” was installed under the Green. This is intended to catch and retain the oil. However the accumulated oil needs to be cleared periodically, a process which we understand is the responsibility of Thames Water but which is not carried out reliably. There is also the risk that the oil will be released if the flow of water is swollen by heavy rain.
The plant life in a wetlands scheme would absorb the pollutants naturally and more effectively. In addition, the diversion of additional surface water flows through the wetlands into the New River would reduce the risk of flooding when the present drainage system is overloaded.
Notwithstanding these benefits, we have concluded that Chase Green is not the right location for a wetlands scheme.
The Green is registered as a village green under the Commons Registration Act 1965, and as such it is intended as a place for “exercise and recreation”. In our view this means it should be a flexible open space with the minimum of obstruction.
The proposed scheme would form a barrier across the widest part of the Green. In addition there is a townscape and heritage aspect. The present open grassy space surrounded by trees on one side and low rise building on the other two sides is what the Society fought successfully to preserve in 1936. It remains a distinctive and valuable part of the Enfield landscape, preserving the atmosphere of a village green in the middle of an urban environment.
Chase Green should be left as it is.