Grill lovers in Islington are set to be left disappointed after a permanent ban on the use of barbecues in parks across the borough was announced.
Islington Council said that the ban is necessary as the use of barbecues increases litter and causes damage, with associated costs, to local parks.
A temporary ban on barbecues, introduced in March 2020 to discourage gatherings during the Covid pandemic, is already in place across the borough.
The proposal to make this ban permanent is subject to approval at the council’s executive committee meeting next Thursday (February 9).
While residents would no longer be able to bring their own barbecues to local parks, the council has announced that it will be trialling the use of a new electric hotplate instead.
It will soon be possible to book a hotplate in Paradise Park via an app.
Depending on the success of the trial, more hotplates will be introduced in other open spaces in Islington.
The council claims that electric hotplates will provide “a more environmentally-friendly, safer alternative to barbecues.”
Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s executive member for environment, air quality, and transport, said: “We’re determined to create a cleaner, greener, healthier borough for all, and reducing air pollution – which stunts children’s lungs and causes thousands of excess deaths in London every year – is key to achieving this.
“We’ve thought very carefully about our barbecue policy, and it’s clear that the use of solid fuel barbecues in our parks and open spaces would undermine our efforts to tackle the climate emergency and improve air quality.
“Also, although many people barbecued responsibly, our parks have seen increased litter, cost and damage because of barbecues, and our parks face increased pressure because of barbecue bans elsewhere in London.
“We know that many of our residents will still want to meet in in our parks for picnics and shared meals, and we welcome this very much.
“We’re trialling a new, more environmentally-friendly electric hotplate, and we’re looking forward to seeing the benefits this brings.”
Gas barbecues are already banned in Islington parks for safety reasons.
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