At the time of a survey by Francis Russell in 1776-7, the Chase extended from Monken Hadley in the west to Bulls Cross in the east, and from Potters Bar to Southgate.
[7][8] For hundreds of years the chase was owned at first by the Mandeville and then the de Bohun families while local inhabitants of Edmonton and Enfield manors claimed common rights.
According to a survey drawn up by the Duchy of Lancaster surveyor Francis Russell, the chase then covered an area of 8,349 acres (34 km2).
[9] In 1777 George III leased the central part of the Chase to Sir Richard Jebb, his favourite doctor, as a reward for saving the life of the King's younger brother, the then Duke of Gloucester.
[11][12] In 1936-7 Middlesex County Council purchased around 4,000 hectares for inclusion in the Green Belt, which was drawn at the limits of urban development in 1939.
[16] In April 2023, the Greater London Authority announced that it would provide another £500,000 in funding for further tree planting and improvements to footpaths at Enfield Chase.
"[21] In June 2021 Enfield Council published for public consultation a draft Local Plan which proposed development with large parts of the Area of Special Character.
[22] These areas included the following proposed development sites within undeveloped countryside of Enfield Chase: In July 2021 the National Park City Foundation complained that Enfield Council was using the National Park City concept, mentioned several times in the draft Local Plan, as a 'bargaining chip' in Green Belt housing plans.