FIVE years after the council said it would go to court to defend people’s right to use barbecues in Islington’s public parks, it has now banned them over health concerns.

The decision yesterday (Thursday) comes after more than 10 years of disagreement between those in favour and those against a newly-elected Labour council decision to overturn a barbecue ban in 2011.

It was perceived by the ruling politicians as a way of evening up the divide between the borough’s haves and have-nots – in terms of gardens – but is now seen as being at odds with a growing awareness of the climate emergency and health issues associated with particulate matter caused by burning fuel.

Councillor Rowena Champion, 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 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.”

Under the terms of the ban people will no longer be allowed to use coal or wood-burning barbecues in parks and open spaces although electric machines are being trialled in Paradise Park.

Now the only local authority in London still allowing the burning of charcoal fires in its public spaces is neighbouring Camden.

Green Party leader and Highbury councillor Caroline Russell has campaigned on the issue since Labour squashed the Highbury Fields Association’s barbecuing ban when they were first elected.

She said: “I’m so glad they’ve changed their mind and can see the health harm that comes from barbecue smoke and that people in Islington will be able to continue to enjoy picnics in the park without breathing toxic smoke. All the people with lung and heart problems are now able to enjoy the park as well.”

In 2017 Labour settled out of court with protest group Save Highbury Fields and agreed to limit barbecuing in Highbury to just one area, although this was scrapped entirely when a ban was brought in during Covid.

Since then no barbecuing has been allowed and this week the council took the decision to make it permanent.