‘URBAN’ FARMS UNDER PRESSURE

There is a lot of farmland inside the M25, forming part of Greater London and currently protected by greenbelt legislation. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has committed to preserving all of London’s greenbelt, despite housing pressures.

I live in Enfield, which is one of the greenest boroughs and home to several farms, few of which are still productive in agricultural terms. Over the years, some have been acquired by developers and allowed to fall into minimal or disuse in the hope that they will be redesignated and opened up for development. Several are owned by the council but not actively farmed.

Given pollution issues, possible changes with Brexit, the Mayor of London’s commitment to keeping the greenbelt intact, pressures on wildlife and changing philosophies about growing and eating locally grown food, what is the best use for these closed-in farms?

The farms in Enfield that have been worked in recent years have mostly been growing rapeseed. Is that still the best way to go?

Traditionally they provided milk and vegetables for London. Are either of those viable again in today’s agricultural economy?

Carol Fisk, Enfield