Red signs were erected at the park in Highgate in April

BARBECUES have been banned in parks across Camden due to a hot weather wildfire risk.

But organisers of a petition in Highgate want to make the restriction permanent in Waterlow Park.

Councillors on a cross-party scrutiny committee will discuss the issue at a meeting on Monday and follows acton taken in April to quell large gatherings in the historic “garden for the gardenless” next to Highgate Cemetery.

Camden had responded to the scenes by erecting red signs and barring cooking.

Supporters said the decision was the right thing to due to the smoke, noise and overflowing bins, while opponents said the space was simply being enjoyed by those who didn’t have outdoor space at home – as intended when the park was first established.

Camden is considering a petition signed by more than 1,400 which called for the ban to be kept in force.

It was launched by the pressure group the Highgate Village Green Preservation Society (HVGPS), and said the charcoal-heated lunches were leading to particle pollution, smoke, smells and the impact of charcoal on health.

The group’s petition said: “The issue can be likened to cigarette smoking which is banned in public and workplaces where it is considered that others in proximity can be negatively affected. While the smokers themselves may drive enjoyment, the passive smokers in the immediate area are exposed to toxins.

“The ‘passive smoking’ from burning charcoal is no different and the barbecues in the park are noy just detrimental to the health of the children playing in the adjacent play areas, but to many residents who, during the summer, feel they have no choice but to avoid the park and also feel forced to keep their windows closed because of the barbecue smoke.”

They added barbecues left scorched marks on grass and many continued to smoke after they had been left.

A council report which will be reviewed by the cross-party Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee report said that  the impact and cost of managing barbecues in parks was increasing and Camden was the only London council allowing them.

Helen Rapley of the HIghgate Village Green Preservation Society, who instigated the petition, added: “We still don’t know why Camden, by having a policy to allow charcoal BBQs in all open spaces insists on being at odds with every other 31 London boroughs, thus inviting the predictable influx of motorists from across London to BBQ in Camden.”

Neighbouring Islington introduced a temporary ban during the coronavirus crisis and later enforced a permaent policy.