On the fringes of North London, a unique cluster of family-run garden centres and horticultural businesses, known locally as the 'golden mile', faces an existential threat. The area of Crews Hill, near Enfield, has been identified by the government as a prime candidate for one of its next generation of new towns, a move that could see 21,000 homes built on the current green belt land.
A Community in Limbo
For decades, Crews Hill has been a haven for gardeners, characterised by winding lanes and a concentration of independent traders selling plants, fencing, and landscaping materials. This could all vanish under ambitious plans to tackle the housing crisis. The site, covering 884 hectares, is currently home to just 500 people alongside its thriving businesses. A development on this scale would transform the area utterly, promising a new community with schools, shops, and improved transport links, including more frequent trains to Moorgate in the City.
The proposal has placed local business owners in a state of anxious uncertainty. Emma Breeze, who runs Three Counties Garden and Leisure Buildings—a firm founded by her late father in 1988—says the mere suggestion of development is already affecting trade. "We're in limbo at the moment," she explains, noting that customers question the future of her 10-year product guarantees. She is adamant the business would look to relocate rather than close, but the lack of a definitive decision is crippling.
Neighbouring trader Simon Aylward, owner of fencing business Aylwards, echoes this sentiment. With his son and niece representing the third generation in the family firm, he stresses the deep roots these businesses have in the local fabric. "The fact there is a threat we could be gone, people are understandably upset and outraged," he said, adding that local opposition appears to be falling on "closed ears."
'Why Would I Willingly Sell a Successful Business?'
Perhaps the most poignant resistance comes from Nina Barnes, 50, who owns the Culver garden centre site first purchased by her father in 1973. She has lived there her entire life. Dismissing accusations of 'nimbyism', she frames her opposition in terms of the community she has helped build.
"Why am I going to willingly sell up a successful business?" Barnes asks. "I'm thinking of the people who have got mortgages to pay, who employ the staff on site. It's a family that we've built around here with all these tenants." Her tenant, Trevor Wyllie of the 40-year-old Enfield Bird Centre, agrees, arguing that former industrial 'brownfield' sites in the borough would be more suitable for large-scale development.
The Crews Hill proposal is among a dozen locations recommended by the government's new towns taskforce and has been personally highlighted by Housing Secretary Steve Reed. Its significance has been amplified by recent figures showing UK housebuilding is in its worst slump since the pandemic, putting greater pressure on Labour's goal of building 1.5 million homes during this parliament.
Balancing Housing Needs and Existing Communities
Proponents argue the development is essential, with a target for 50% of the 21,000 homes to be affordable. Ergin Erbil, leader of Enfield Council, said such a project "would also bring significant investment and improved infrastructure" and could begin before 2030. He described targeting "inaccessible low-grade fields" and some garden centres "mis-labelled as green belt."
However, the plans have drawn criticism for a perceived lack of ambition on social housing and potential strain on infrastructure. Housing campaigners offer a cautious welcome. Matt Burn from Better Homes for Enfield believes Crews Hill could "play a meaningful role" in delivering affordable homes but warns against steamrolling existing businesses. He points to the council's Meridian Water project, where he claims over 1,000 local jobs were lost when businesses were cleared for a development that has largely failed to materialise on schedule.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated they "recognise the valuable contribution of local businesses and will work closely with communities to understand the impacts." Ministers are expected to make a final decision on new town locations this spring. For now, the families of Crews Hill's golden mile wait, hoping their unique chapter in London's horticultural history is not forcibly closed for good.
