Enfield Council’s London Housing Plan Faces Backlash in Stoke Heath 2026

Key Points

• Enfield Council Proposals: Enfield London Borough Council is exploring options to place families currently on its social housing waiting list in private rented properties at Dutton Close in Stoke Heath, Shropshire.
• Shropshire Council Objections: Leaders at Shropshire Council have formally written to Enfield Council to express significant concerns, stating that Dutton Close lacks local transport, essential support services, and community facilities.
• Legal Limitations: Shropshire Council has acknowledged that it possesses no legal powers to block Enfield Council from placing households at the location through private rented market agreements.
• MP Opposition: Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP for The Wrekin, has pledged to fight the proposals, describing them as “bonkers” and attributing the issue to London housing policy shortages.
• Enfield Council’s Response: Enfield Council confirmed no final decisions have been made, no families have been placed in Dutton Close so far, and any future tenancy would be a direct private agreement between landlords and tenants.
• Site Context: The site at Dutton Close previously attracted controversy in July when Home Office plans to house asylum seekers there were withdrawn following local backlash.

Enfield (North London News) October 10, 2026 — Proposals by Enfield London Borough Council to potentially place families from its social housing waiting list into accommodation in the village of Stoke Heath have generated opposition from local authority leaders and the local Member of Parliament.

As reported by Hits Radio, Shropshire Council has formally voiced significant concerns over plans that could see London families housed in properties currently on the market in Dutton Close, Stoke Heath. Although local leaders in Shropshire have confirmed they have no legal authority to block private rented accommodation arrangements, they have urged decision-makers in Enfield to rethink the move, arguing that the rural development is neither the right location nor is it the appropriate time.

The site at Dutton Close has previously been the focus of public debate. In July, earlier plans to house asylum seekers at the location were scrapped by the Home Office following backlash from local residents and community leaders.

Why is Shropshire Council objecting to Enfield Council’s plans?

In an official statement published by Shropshire Council, the authority confirmed it has written to Enfield Council to formally record its objections regarding the suitability of the proposed location.

As reported by Hits Radio, a spokesperson for Shropshire Council stated:

“The council has written to Enfield Council to formally record its significant concerns about these proposals and to make clear that, in its view, Dutton Close is not a suitable location for these placements.

“The site is poorly connected, with limited access to transport, services and other essential support. It also has no community facilities nearby.

“This would make it extremely difficult for individuals and families placed there to settle, access the help they may need and integrate into the wider community.

“While the council recognises that it has no legal grounds to prevent Enfield Council placing households at this site through private rented accommodation, it has expressed its clear view that this is not the right location and not the right time.”

What is the response from local parliamentary representatives?

Mark Pritchard, the Conservative MP for The Wrekin, has also voiced strong opposition to the proposals.

As reported by Hits Radio, Mark Pritchard stated in a public post on social media:

“I am completely against these bonkers new plans to relocate people from London to Dutton Close in Stoke Heath.

“The new-build homes were built to provide affordable housing for local people, not to house people from London who can’t find homes there because London’s Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan, keeps falling short of his housing targets.

“I will fight these plans all the way.”

How has Enfield Council responded to the concerns?

In response to inquiries regarding the site, Enfield Council reiterated that its priority is ensuring eligible families have access to safe and suitable housing, while clarifying that no concrete decisions have been finalized.

As reported by Hits Radio, an Enfield Council spokesperson stated:

“Like many councils in London and across the country, Enfield is facing significant challenges in securing suitable and affordable accommodation for households to whom we owe a housing duty.

“Our priority is to ensure eligible families have access to safe and sustainable housing.

“As part of this work, we routinely explore a range of potential accommodation options and assess their suitability against the needs of households, our statutory responsibilities and local housing policies.

“Any tenancy arrangement at this location would be a private agreement between the landlord and the tenant, rather than through a lease held by Enfield Council.

“The landlord may be in discussions with a number of interested parties regarding the future use of the properties.

“No final decisions have been made by Enfield Council in relation to this site and no households have been placed there by the Council.”

Hits Radio further reported that Enfield Council confirmed it has not placed any families in Dutton Close to date, though it could not comment on whether private landlords have entered into direct negotiations with prospective tenants.

What is the background of the Dutton Close housing development?

The housing site at Dutton Close in Stoke Heath has been subject to recurring community and political debates regarding its usage. Built as a residential development in rural Shropshire, the site was originally intended to supply housing capacity within the local area.

In July, plans were put forward to utilize the empty properties at Dutton Close to house asylum seekers under Home Office arrangements. That proposal led to criticism from local residents, parish representatives, and Shropshire Council officials, who cited infrastructure limitations and lack of nearby support systems in the rural village. Following sustained opposition, the Home Office withdrew the proposed arrangement.

The current situation arises amid wider structural pressures on local authorities in Greater London. Borough councils faced with severe shortages of affordable housing within their own boundaries routinely search for private rented sector options across various regions to satisfy statutory housing duties for homeless families or those on housing registers.

How could this development affect the local community and prospective residents?

If private tenancy agreements proceed at Dutton Close, the development could impact both the local Shropshire community and the families relocated from London:

• Impact on Relocated Families: Families arriving from London urban areas may face practical integration challenges due to the rural location of Stoke Heath. The reported scarcity of nearby public transport links, commercial amenities, and social support services could complicate access to employment, healthcare, and education.
• Impact on Local Infrastructure: Shropshire Council’s warnings highlight potential strain on rural public services that are not currently scaled for rapid demographic inflows from outside the local authority area.
• Impact on Local Housing Stock: Local political representatives argue that using newly built rural developments for out-of-borough placements reduces the availability of affordable homes intended for local residents within the constituency.
• Legal Precedent for Inter-Council Relations: Because receiving local authorities lack statutory powers to block private landlord lease agreements made by out-of-borough councils, this case reflects ongoing jurisdictional tensions between metropolitan borough councils fulfilling housing duties and rural local authorities managing local resource constraints.