Environment Agency object to plans to build golf course on Edgwarebury Farm, Edgware

Bury Farm, in Edgwarebury Lane, Edgware, which is in the green belt, could be turned into an 18-hole golf course if plans are approved by Barnet Borough Council.

But the Environment Agency has written to the authority saying the area is unsuitable for a golf course as it poses a serious flood risk.

The agency also raised concerns that roughly half a million tonnes of landfill waste would be brought to the site as part of landscaping.

Planning advisor Andy Goymer adds that if the landfill was carried out in line with the North London Waste Plan and the agency recevied an application for a landfill permit it would reconsider its objection.

A design and access statement by the Dye London Golf Club mentions bringing in around 245,000 cubic metres of 'inert material' - which it says would be typically soils and stones.

It contrasts this amount with the 600,000 cubic metres of landfill from construction sites used to 'add interest' at the Shire golf course, a flatter site.

Ralph Simon, of Hartland Road, Edgware, who has been backing the campaign since it began in 2013, said he would continue to campaign against these proposals.

The 64-year-old said: “These two objections speak volumes – they are quite telling and just go to show that what we are saying is right.

“It’s an environmentally sensitive issue. The area is prone to flooding, we know that already, but we want to put landfill in it?

“It doesn’t make sense, this needs to be stopped.”

Last year, parts of the farm were left 4ft underwater after a torrential downpour turned the area into a “muddy swampland”. (Below)

But developer Enplan said it would prevent this from happening again building an underground storage space for excess water, which will be used to irrigate the field in the summer.

The plans were originally submitted in 2013 but were withdrawn last year by golf club architect Tony Menai Davis, who owns The Shire Golf Club in London.

After he resubmitted the plans in January 2015, campaigners launched a petition which has so far been signed by nearly 400 people.

The farm is used by dog walkers and horse riders who say the 800-year-old farm would be “ruined” if the plans were to go ahead.

The application does, however, include a track for horse riding and ramblers around the permiter of the golf course.

But Mr Simon added: “That means we’ll be sandwiched between the golf course and the A41 on a narrow corridor. It only takes a horse to bolt and someone will get a nasty kicking.

“It would be a travesty of justice to the residents of this area if we were to lose this amenity. It’s active and in use – anyone who says it’s vacant is speaking nonsense.

“It’s peaceful, open countryside and we don’t want to lose it.”

In a statement, Philip Russell-Vick, director at Enplan, said: "We have responded to the Environment Agency’s letter of objection and we are working with them to resolve their issues.

"It would appear that the EA have missed that a Flood Risk Assessment is included in the application documents. We have highlighted this and reminded the EA that they had no objection to the application in 2013 regarding flooding and agreed that the scheme improves the flood regime. 
 
"We are working with them in respect of the use of imported soil materials to improve drainage, provide visual and acoustic screening from the M1. Again, the EA had no objection in 2013 on these grounds and we consider the scheme to be an excellent sustainable use of such material and an appropriate waste recovery proposal."