PARK land in the borough is under threat of commercialisation in proposed changes to historic bye laws.o

The Independent has discovered that Enfield Council is to submit a controversial application to the Home Office next year to change the ancient laws which prevent parks being kept open all hours and prohibit commercial activity.

Bye law changes affecting opening times could even pave the way for pubs in parks.

And the council intends to kick-off the scheme by implementing a trial 24-hour opening of Ponders End Recreation Ground as a forerunner to a full scale park opening programme.

The move will anger campaigners who fought against an identical plan in 1999.

Rev David James of Palmers Green's Broomfield House Trust said: "It was a big question two years ago which was opposed by quite a few people.

"It seems that they want opening of parks in the borough which would have consequences not just for commercial enterprises but for the abuse of parks by individuals and groups. A lack of supervision and oversight would result in parks being used for illicit practices to the detriment of the community."

The council's Best Value Parks Review highlights that "there are opportunities to generate income through... advertising hoardings and aerials". The document adds that consideration should be given to providing vending machines in parks and the possibility of shops or retail units.

The authority intends to carry out a public consultation on the plan early next year.

Council officials argue that a new bye laws 'model' would give the parks department scope to introduce changes to the service such as cycle routes.

Bob Ivison, the authority's parks and countryside manager, said: "We believe that the current set of bye laws is very dated, in some cases referring to sheep grazing and carpet beating. This is an opportunity to create a more meaningful set of regulations."

Enfield has also applied for government 'Beacon Status' in the Urban Green Space category. This is despite officers admitting in the Best Value Review: "None of Enfield's parks has the Green Flag Award, the main nationally recognised quality award relating specifically to parks, and Enfield has not been able to adopt modern bye laws."

If it wins 'Beacon Status' from the Department for Transport Local Government and the Regions (DTLR), the service will be recognised as a standard of good practice by the government.

The council has failed with four previous 'Beacon Status' submissions. It has slashed its parks staff quota from 300 in the 1980s to around 150 at present.