Protesters set to take council to court in long-running dispute over use of barbecues on popular north London green

A protest group is now taking legal action against the local council over the use of barbecues in the park
Barry Phillips
Patrick Grafton-Green17 September 2017

A protest group is set to take legal action against a north London council in a long-running dispute over the use of barbecues on an upmarket green.

Highbury Fields – one of the few parks in London where fires are permitted – has previously been found to have high levels of air pollutant PM2.5, which residents claim is caused by the number of people using the park for barbecues.

Campaign group Save Highbury Fields wants the council to stop allowing people to have barbecues there, and they have launched legal action as the latest step in their campaign.

Campaigners say the PM2.5 pollutant is made up of fine particles which are inhaled into the deepest part of the lungs.

According to experts prolonged exposure to such smoke can worsen existing breathing problems and potentially cause heart attacks or stroke.

Studies show levels of these toxic fumes have soared on days when barbecues are used, according to the campaign group.

Save Highbury Fields is calling for a ban on barbecuing in the park
Rex

Islington Council first allowed barbecues on the green in 2011, and after years of campaigning Save Highbury Fields says it has now been left without a choice but to present a nuisance complaint against the town hall.

The council responded by saying it "stands by" the policy, and is "happy to explain and defend it".

Michael Kuhn, of Save Highbury Fields, said: “Despite years of campaigning and independent investigations showing the dangers to health emitted by these barbecues on Highbury Fields the council refuse to change or modify their position at all.

“Highbury Fields is for the use of people who picnic, run, walk dogs, play, exercise and all this is adversely affected by the council’s barbecue policy.

“1,200 people have signed our Save Highbury Fields petition to ban the barbecues which we will present at the September 21 council meeting.

“These are people from all walks of life - those disabled people in sheltered accommodation abutting the fields, people with respiratory illnesses, people afraid to expose their kids to the smoke in the park old and young rich and poor.

“So far over 50 people have committed via Crowdjustice to fund a legal action against the council. That is the only way forward now. The action will be in the Magistrates Court alleging statutory nuisance and demanding the council abate it. The papers will be filed in the next seven to 10 days."

Cllr Claudia Webbe, Islington Council’s executive member for environment, said: “Allowing barbecues in our parks and open spaces has been incredibly popular.

“Most people living in Islington don’t have a garden, and this gives everyone a chance to enjoy a barbecue with friends and family in our open spaces.

“We believe our policy is right, and we stand by it and are happy to explain and defend it.

“We expect anyone who barbecues to do so responsibly, cleanly and safely, and we have taken extra steps at Highbury Fields including barbecue disposal bins and extra patrols on busy days in the summer.”

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