Wandsworth Council's plans show disregard for local public opinion - the future of Tooting Common, and especially the Triangle must be safeguarded for future generations.
We do not want more football on tooting common ,we want green space to walk and freely chose which sport to participate in.This is area is used by many people for different leisure and sports related activities.We need a better playground and one o'clock club ,please.
I am not against more sporting facilities - just where these are being proposed. you cannot steal common land
I have lived here for over 10 years, have 4 children and use the common extensively, never in that time have I ever wished for more football pitches (and I have a footballer in the family). Our needs are perfectly served already.
Wandsworth Council are custodians of our common land and should be protecting it as a valuable resource to be handed on intact to future generations
The proposed development is a commercial, profit-driven venture likely to benefit non-locals, while depriving local residents of a much-loved and widely used green space.
I use the Common very regularly to walk the dog and play with my 10 year old.
I am a regular user of the Common and I would like the Common to stay as it is.
Nobody who knows this particular area of the common would consider such a plan.
I am livid that part of common land is to be taken and used in this way
I am a football fan but I have studs so think we should play on the common itself rather than for commercial gain.
Once the green land is gone it will be gone forever. You can play football on the grass.
Tooting Common is, in my mind, the most quaint and interesting of the 3.
Its allure was a big draw for my family and myself when we settled.
Let me know what I can do to be of concrete assistance,
Frederic
PS: We already have football fields on the common and they get plenty of action over the weekends. Why do we have to use concrete?
PSS: I wonder why the Council does not use Wandsworth Common instead, really... I suspect they decided that they could get away with this here but not there...
Green spaces should be left green. Hard landscaping such a huge area, not just for the pitches but also parking and adding massive flood lights should surely not be proposed on green land in this day and age.
Tooting common provides a much loved and precious area of green with wonderful ancient trees giving huge benefit to wildlife and people. As we face the challenge of climate change it makes no sense morally to destroy green space and create high energy leisure space.
We write to oppose the plans proposed by the Council. Commons are for green and nature not for floodlit concrete. We already lost many trees for security. People play a lot on the Commons as they are, why do we need more playing concrete? Please consider the locals who are opposed to this plan. Thank you.
It is public land which should remain for all to use not pay to play football. It is the only park land with no cars through it so safe for children to run about.
WE LOVE WALKING WITH OUR DOG AND OUR KIDS TO OUR VERY NICE COMMO N
IT WILL BE HORRENDOUS TO SEE IT DISAPPEARED AND REPLACED BY SYNTHETIC FOOTBALL PITCHES
WE CAN'T SEE ANY POINT TO DESTROY SUCH A NICE AREA OF GRASS AND BEAUTIFUL TREES
IT IS SUCH A JOY TO ENJOY IT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR
WE ARE COMPLETLY AGAINST THIS PROJECT
THANK YOU
Enough football already
Totally opposed to any expansion of the current play/pitch area
Maximising use of existing (and underused) flood lit football pitch on the triangle plus improved publicity for the facilities provided in Agnes Riley gardens should be the first option before consideration of the need for any further development. In addition, a large part of Tooting common is already serving the football community and therefore alternative sporting facilities, if needed, should be considered ahead of football e.g. floodlit cricket nets
You will ruin the unique nature of the triangle if you proceed with this plan
I totally oppose the project. There are already more than enough football pitches on Tooting Common. I do not want our Common destroyed for commercial gain.
Please leave the Common open for all to enjoy.
This has been a tranquil open space belonging to all of us for hundreds of years. It is for our generation to save it for the next few hundred.
As a regular user of the Common, I am vehemently opposed to any developmnet on green land. We need more green spaces not less
Please leave the common in tact.
It is Common land where people can already exercise for free. It will
cause grave damage to the natural environment of the common and loss of metropolitan open land,
be focused exclusively on football at the expense of other users. At present it is used by a variety of user for (inter alia): football, cricket, softball, running, cycling, walking,Thai-chi, dog walking, picnics,
attract significant numbers of paying non-residents causing additional traffic and parking congestion.
This is corrupt. We the people own this land. With all the green issues currently under discussion how can you even consider congreting over common grass land?
The press release put out by Wandsworth was spun so much as to be total lies.
The all weather pitch already there is never used and the common is already used all the time by local residents.
A green open space should be for everyone to enjoy not the limited few who play football.
No amount of natural greenspace should ever be lost for any reason, particularly as questions of pollution and the environment become ever more pertinent and even more so as this is Common land, and restricting its use to footballers removes the option of using it from the majority. The remaining area of Common would not be of sufficient size to continue to offer the recreational opportunities that it now does.
There is always plenty of area for football and a changing area on Dr Johnson Avenue, we want some football free areas.
I strongly object to the proposed commercial development of football pitches on common land. This would cause noise pollution, (football hooligans are renowned for their foiul language), parking problems, (as if we didn't have enough already), and rob us of a tranquil green space.
Just don't do it, that park is beautiful as a big open space.
The common provides free lesiure facilities for all at the moment - we do not need this scheme.
Wandsworth council should be ashamed of themselves! I hope the school govenors take it as far as they can to get justice done, and if there is any justice then the school should stay where it is.
Please don't spoil the common in this way; people can still play football if they want to, why spend all this money on a stadium.
I think we should protect our green space.
The common is a highly valued local space, a bit of the countryside in the city and should be cherished not concreted over.
This would be a travesty! There are very few 'green' areas in London as it is without having an 'eyesore' such as a carpark and football pitches to look at.
What about all the wildlife and plants etc that will be lost?? Why does money have to come before quality of life?
I thought you were a caring council.
I strongly oppose this decision."
Tooting Bec Common is a little oasis in the midst of a brick and mortar jungle. On weekends it is busy with families walking or playing games and joggers and cricketers. Just leave it the way it is so everyone can enjoy this small amount of open space in one of the largest cities in the world.
There is already significant building on the common - athletics track and swimming pool etc
I am keen to see this site used for a smaller sports facility that can be affordably accessed by local children and teenagers. Where is the provision for youth club involvement in the current proposal? And facilities for netball and hockey for girls?
Before the council goes seeking tenders on developing the area for floodlit, commercial football courts, they should consult with the people they represent to see what we want! In my case, more nature, more for the whole family and less noise and light pollution.
Save this beautiful area and keep London as green as possible.
A commercially operated football business is not appropriate on this part of Tooting common. The environmental impact would be negative. Please take note of all comments.
I cannot see how covering over this great patch of Common can help with any of the Government's targets for flood defence and greenhouse gas. Besides is there not enough time and money commited to football in this country - spend the money on dog wardens and kids would play it on the grass.
This open space is valuable to everyone. We all live increasingly cheek by jowl, some in houses and a lot in small converted flats with no access to open space. This piece of common is a life saver. If this piece of land goes, more people will use the other side of the common over Bedford Hill, which is increasingly busy especially with the new development where the old mental hospital used to be.
SAVE THE GREEN
The plan is completely unacceptable in that it will significantly worsen the environment, creating light & noise pollution & horrendous parking problems, and increased risks to pedestrians in an already conjested area. Shame on you Wandsworth Council for even contemplating it!
We have enjoyed using the common for over 16 years. Our children have grown up here and we walk our dog around the common every day. It is a beautiful oasis in the middle of a noisy and built up area; a bit of country in the town, it would be very sad if it were ruined by football pitches.
Save the Common!
This is the best bit of the common, and it should stay that way.
London families need space to help them maximise life
How may women over the age of 18 play football? i.e. women who have a choice rather than being forced to by their parents. 1.6 million girls under the age of 15 play, which indicates, based on your figures, very few girls/women over that age play. Leaving a few bread crumbs left over for other sports other than football doesn't cut it either. A survey of local support broken down by age and gender might be quite enlightening.
Wandsworth is clearly showing an insensitive lack of priorities
As a family we feel that the football pitches will have a profound effect on local residents and on the local area. Whilst we value the emphasis on making more sport available to all age groups, this area of the common is in itself a wonderful place for children and young people to share fun activities together.
This development would completely destroy a quiet green area that is enjoyed by people who have chosen to live there for being just that. I find it staggering that the council is even considering selling this area of common ground to a company interested only in commercial gain, knowing that that this will only have a negative effect on the local voting residents.
It's a great place for walking the dogs, playing, doing sport or summer pic-nics, will be awfull to lose it!
plus the noise, the parking problems and the mess in general!
No development!
The reason we moved to this area was because of Tooting Common - for us, our children and our dog - it will be sacrilege to build these football pitches. Please don't take away what little greenery we have .
I would like to see a refurbished playground and one o'clock centre on this site but not artificial football pitches which people have to pay to use. The triangle field is a green oasis of calm which would be lost if the pitches are built.
More traffic, More noise, floodlights. How can this be good for local people and the wildlife that live on the common.
I strongly disagree with the proposed plans to develop Tooting Common Triangle.
Keep the green spaces. There is no need for these facilities, where there is already plenty of open land for all to enjoy whatever their interests.
This is the one bit of the common without roads running through or around it, making it that bit more special than the rest as an open public space.
I strongly object to common open land being developed. Wandsworth should invest in the existing facilities
And people voted for these lot?
Please leave the common alone - it is beautiful and very much needed and enjoyed by all residents - London needs to keep its green parks
Please leave the common alone - there is already far too much concrete in London
Absolutley outrageous!
This is yet another attempt to cover over what few bits of green there are left in London. The open grass areas of the common are used by hundreds of dog walkers, families and children for weekend and holiday recreational use. There is already a lot of the common towards Tooting Bec that is already designated to football, why do we need more?
Save the common
I am so horrified I walk my dogs every day on the common and meet friends please do not ruin one of the few places to excersise a dog safely. There are sufficiant places to play football !
The Common is a resource for local schools too, including sports activities!
The existing football pitches are hardly ever used! Play should be spontaneous - why should children have to pay to play games? Everyone can use the Common as it is at the moment.
Open spaces are essential for the health of the community, floodlit courts are not. They will disrupt the lives of people, patients and wildlife in the area.
Think health. It is good for you, your neighbours, your standing at the next election and for the environment.
I understand the need to provide sports facilties within the borough but this site seems inappropriate because:
- it is common land
- it has no parking facilties
- the local road network is not able to deal with further traffic increases and parking demands
- local schools and nurseries use this land for nature trails, projects and sports days.
Perhaps closer to the lido, car parking, changing facilities, and other sports facilties, on the south side of the Common would be more suitable.
I cannot see enough evidence of people wanting to use the proposed facilities.
I am a regular user of the triangle for dog-walking and general leisure. These proposals are not meeting any local need and threaten to destroy one of the most beautiful inner city environments in London. They must be stopped.
I object to more building works on park lands. Please do not cover up the ground and suffocate the earth. We need space for people and animals alike to run and play and get dirty.
Keep parkland for people (and their dogs).
In its presant state the common can be used 'freely' by every person regardless of age & ability, don't be discriminateatory by developing commercial five-a-side football pitches on this immensely popular green space. Leve it alone!
Wandsworth Council, in the words of your own website, please preserve this 'site of metropolitan importance' from commercial development. Please abandon current plans and begin a thorough consultation with all users of the Triangle area before deciding to make any changes to this popular and much-loved piece of green space.
I call on Wandsworth Council to drop its plan to develop 12 floodlit, artificial five-a-side football pitches on Tooting Common.
I look forward to seeing any actual plans but on the face of it, the space used up would be an incorrect use of one of London's precious open spaces.
This is an integral part to Tooting Common and should be preserved as such for future generations. Sport fads will come and go and we shouldn't sacrifice valuable tracks of vintage green areas to them. Keep Tooting common as it is, we love it and use it every day!
Our public green spaces are coming under increasing threat of development in one form or the other. Tooting Common should be respected for the green open space that it is
One of the delights and attractions of London is it's green parks - many people don't have the chance to get to open spaces or the countryside - don't take away our beautiful park for selfish commercial reasons.
The green space is very near and dear to all the family and our friends and dogs who gather there regularly.
This development will have a major negative impact on our lives and the at of the community around it..We can't see how it is justified?
ingrid
This is far too large a development on a lovely piece of common and will benefit people from outside the borough far more than those in it.
This is a very special natural area of the common which must not be disposed of lightly. No other part of Tooting Common matches it for tranquility and unspoilt natural environment. It is a haven in an urban setting and it would be an environmental crime to develop it.
I really value Tooting Common just as it is. I use it regularly to exercise with my children and friends. I completely fail to see how a commercial Goals development is justifiable. Open green spaces are essential to the community and should be protected and maintained. Leave it alone.
I think it is absolutely disgraceful that common ground which is so key to Londoners should be taken away and given to commercial ventures in this way.
Leave the common as it is.
This is precious common land and once it's gone, it's gone. Don't do it!
As a daily walker on Tooting Common I strongly object to artificial playing grounds being built when at present any member of the public regardless of age, nationality or financial means can play, walk or just enjoy the open space.
There are plenty of brown field sites that could be tarmaced for these pitches rather than our precious green space, which is enjoyed by a much wider portion of the community than would use football pitches.
This common land is an important green space in an urban environment. The proposed plans to commercially exploit the site will result in the loss of green space which promotes mental and physical health and wellbeing for Londoners - in particular residents and the voters of Wandsworth.
It would be a great shame to see our tranquil common developped. We need our empty open spaces to escape the fast pace of London.
Please protect our precious green spaces so that everyone can enjoy them, in peace and tranquillity.
The common is such a beautiful resource for all Balham, Streatham and Tooting residents - please dont destroy it!
Putting a hard surface over part of the common will cause extra flooding after rains and the proposed facility will not increase the availability of sport for local people but only for those able to pay. The common would be disfigured by the hard cover & floodlights and no extra green space willb e created to offset this, as the Woodfield site is already a green space.
It's disappointing that a broader use cannot be planned for this land that encompasses more people.
It would be a real waste to plough up lovely unspoilt green space and replace it with a development that's not really needed.
I oppose to the proposed plans at tooting triangle.
It is outrageous to propose that common land should be offered to a private company who would rent it out for profit. Footballers need pitches but there must be brown field sites available on which they can be built. Also the light pollution may well adversely affect the wild life on the common.
Please don't destroy this precious and much used local resource.
The existing green oasis is used by large numbers of people, for many different purposes bringing all aspects of the community together. This contributes hugely to the overall feel of the surrounding area - in particular the health and happiness of young and old which could suffer greatly if the space was no longer available. The fact that anyone can play sport/walk/run/picnic etc whenever they wish on the common, is a precious resource that should be cherished, not limited or made exclusive.
I really do not believe that pitches such as these should be proposed in a residential area like this. There must be an alternative area near Tooting Bec Road which would be less personally intrusive.
I think that it is suspicious that Wandsworth are choosing an area surrounded by mainly Lambeth residents, whose voices carry little weight within Wandsworth local authority.
My family would personally suffer greatly from the loss of this beautiful peaceful section of the common that we all love.
Living just yards from the bottom of Drewstead Road, where Tooting Triangle can be accessed, we are appalled at the plans which would result is such a loss of our amenity. We are also scared of the likely impact on our lives.
The British Rail depot behind our road already forces noise and ugly floodlights on us without our consent and this proposal is bound to bring more to our residential road, as well as the inevitable traffic congestion outside our homes. It is morally wrong and unjust.
I do not want these plans to go through as they would ruin this peaceful area.
I was born in Tooting and the common is the only place locally for kids to play safely. Are you trying to drive families out of South London to clear the way fora singular hoodie society?
I took my grandson onto the Common on a Saturday morning and could find no spare areas of grass which were not either too muddy or full of amateur footballers. If The Council goes ahead with their plan to demolish the Triangle area and build 5 football pitches the Common will be ruined for local residents who do not have children of football age
My whole family are totally against this idea and think that it will change the common into something we don't want. Traffic and parking will become a major problem, children will lose their playground which Wandsworth have never spent decent money on, the one o'clock club will go, dog walkers and people who just enjoy the common will lose precious open space and Wandsworth Council will make lots and lots of money every year!!!!
I object to the proposed building on common land, the noise and light polution that will be caused and the impact on the local area of the inevitable influx of cars.
Common Land is so important because it is just that, common to us all, shared by us all for whatever use or enjoyment we choose at any one point in time. The introduction of a 5 a side football complex onto Tooting Triangle will deprive it of its essential communality.
There is enough football on the common already. We need a quiet place away from the roads to teach our children how to cycle, let them play hide and seek, climb trees, have picnics, walk dogs, etc... The football pitch already there is never used by anyone!! Why cannot green spaces be left green and allow the users to choose from a million differing ways of how to use it. the rest of the common is now cut up by cycle paths that are seriously dangerous to those with small children and dogs.l
Tooting Common is something rare and wonderful in London - a park that looks like wilderness. When I take my children biking there, they feel as if they are in a bit of countryside. The can get muddy and explore. Anyone who wants to turn part of the common into football pitches has obviously not seen the cricket matches in the summer, either, when people of Indian and Pakistan ethnicity play from early morning until dusk. It's a shameful plan, and should be scrapped.
I believe you will be creating a nuisance with the floodlighting for people who live next to the allocated area you hope to build on and as a result are breaking planning laws?
It is a disgrace that you tick your "political boxes" at the expence of everyones enjoyment of the common. How long before its full of non football playing,undesirable Feral low life, graffitiing, trashing the goals posts, club house etc and hanging about making walking on the common immpossible for law abiding people.
WHAT MORE CARS? We already have a lack of parking in Streatham. Will all our side roads be full of football familys and Estate agents vehicles? The light nuisance will be bad for surrounding homes. NO thankyou to a potential hang out to ill educated yobs (which lambeth specialises in creating with all the beneifits they hand out!) How about a Rugby pitch instead? might discipline some of the youth and doesnt mean ruining the grass area for others.
Why try to ruin one of the few remaining open spaces. I am strongly against this scheme.
The common is, and has been, a vital breathing space , offering peace and tranquility to all. The proposal will scar the common with fences,hard surfaces, floodlights and noise, and deny access to those who won't or can't pay. Common land and open spaces in London are irreplaceable. Please don't put a price on the common.
I am completely opposed to surrendering any open space on Tooting Common to extra football fields.
There are already sports facilities on Tooting bec common, these should be better utilised. Footballers, families, dog walkers etc currently use the green spaces and happily work around each other. Non of these individual parties need their separate facilites, just a sense of freedom to use the whole of the common as they wish.
Public open space should be protected and un-developable.
Too much green keeps disappearing at alarming rate - 12 floodlit pitches will bring noise, pollution to a vibrant green wildlife haven, not to mention replace a wonderful local Steiner school!
Please advise how I can become more involved with Precious Tooting and saving the Triangle on Tooting Common
Whilst its fantastic to see Wandsworth council looking to invest in much needed sporting facilities to my mind there has to be a much more appropriate site for such facilities.
I think the whole idea is outrageous. A school is going to be closed down because of these football pitches. I thought the government would have had enough sense to realise that a school is more important.
Green spaces are so important to people who live in London and they also support precious wildlife. The park would be a worse place for losing this area to development - even if the development is for recreational/sports facilities. Only those who play football would benefit from this and that is disregarding the rest of the population who enjoy this area.
This COMMON land can currently be used by everyone, regardless of age. Football pitches target a much much smaller audience and would thus dimished the number of people who enjoy this area.
If the Council find they are short of football pitches, they should liaise with Chestnut Grove School who I believe are developing floodlight football pitches themselves which enhances the current facilities in the area.
The common is a sanctuary for everyone, please don't let it be built upon!
I think this should not go forward because we can play sports on the common if we want to anyway. the triangle area is one of my favourite areas of the common, dogs, kids and adults have enjoyed being on this common for years and none of us want it to be ruined with sport ground x
Could the Council please take stock of this ridiculous decision. As city dwellers the madness of city life is all too obvious, daily The common provides calmness, peace and tranquility. So neccessary. It also provides wildlife habitates, biodiversity and the richness of the natural world so vital for dwellers. There is more to life than football.
This plan is outrageous - I am astonished that such a large plan has not been better publicised. There are enough amenities available for football players on this common - leave this precious greenbelt land for the city dwellers in London to roam freely!!
While I am a strong supporter of developing sports facilities for all, I do not feel that taking valuable, well-used free and open space is the best option. As a local resident, I would prefer for an alternative site to be used and would be delighted to consult on this future development. Surley retaining the flexible open space in this area should be just as important as developping sports facilities.
I stay every other week and run on the common regularly it is a great open space and I am anxious that it should be preserved
Tooting common is a fantastic space, which our family uses often. The plans to develop a football complex represent a huge loss to this area.
Why would you do this??? What option will it give residents who want a bit out outdoor space to relax in???
The plan it's absolutely and outrageous. It will bring chaos and noise on the Common and near area, which is quiet and expensive!
Parking will be impossible for the residents!
This is an outrageous plan by Wandworth Council, and I believe will be to the detriment of the community.
The common is really well used, by all sections of the community throughout the year. Let's keep it that way. Resident's chose to live by a common; not 12 floodlit, artificial football pitches.
1. The land that is to be 'given back' in return for taking part of the Common is already classed as 'Metroplitan' land with free access allowed to the public so the proposal described is far from a fair exchange.
2. The amount of space required for the 12 five-a-side football pitches would require much more land than the existing hard surfaced pitch.
The open ground at Tooting Common is used for sport and walking, and it would be a great loss of amenity if it was to be built on.
There are not enough public open spaces and this deserves protection for future generations.
One of our rightful liberties is to be able to stroll at will over the common, unimpeded and free to appreciate the greenery, wildlife and the openness of the place. What right does anyone, or agency, have to take this liberty away from us. To build a cluster of football pitches, denying our rightful access to an area of the common is wrong. Such an action violates the concept of Common Land, as a free open space for all.
Why can the kids not play on the grass?
It will ruin the lovely green area!!
I have lived in the area for 23 years and used this part of the common on a daily basis. My children attended the nursery, one a clock club and used the playground for many years.( not the best kept in Wandsworth but always well used). The local lambeth community make great use of this small area - one of the very few pieces of land where you are not next to a busy road making it particularly safe for children to play and dog walkers to stroll. It is a friendly much loved place to be.
I don't think it's fair to keep polluting the country and unfair to the beautiful nature that is surrounds us in that area.
Green, open safe space for a whole communitye to use, share and enjoy is so very rare - we must stand up to these developers we must protect it.
We need to preserve our open spaces and reduce environmental damage caused by light pollution.
This is relatively tiny piece of land, the reclaim of which will not hugely effect any public users of the common even slightly as much the removal of such a huge expanse as has been marked for the football pitches. There is a little school on a little bit of land making a huge difference to the lives of the children there. Their heart n soul is in that land and if you the council wish to make a difference with that land, know that difference is already happening.
Let the commom as it is !!!!!
There are not many green spaces left in London and I can't believe that that space might be used for all weather football pitches. Why can't the space be turned into a proper cricket pitch, as I have seen loads of kids over there in the summer months playing cricket, but not many playing football!!! It would seem really sad to just have that space floodlit and occupied with just football - can we not remember that there are loads of other outdoor sports that need grass!
As Londoners, we have so little green space as it is. It seems uninformed and ignorant to use this particular area for this unwanted development. Keep your hands off our green spaces!!!
An known open space such as a Common, available to every member of the local and wider community must remain as such. It is a wildlife resource, a safe area to roam for childdren and important peaceful environment for people to connect with the natural world. This is essential for busy city dwellers. Sport has it s place, but not to the exclusion of everyone else. Areas of the Commons are already used for games and some grass must be left free for picnics, meeting friends and relaxing .
Open, natural spaces and common land are at a premium and must be protected. I enjoy walking my dog over the triangle area of Tooting Common every day and it would be a travesty if it were lost. There is no demand for all these football pitches and it seems purely money-making exercise on the Council's behalf. Please reconsider and keep Tooting Common the wonderful natural resource that it is today!
I walk my dog and jog over the triangle area of the common every day and would hate to see it ruined by a football complex. Leave Tooting Common alone!
We object to the urbanisation of precious common land. We are great supporters of sport, but this is the wrong space. The idea of putting up to 12 astro turf pitches with spotlights which will disturb the birds - there are song thrushes, woodpeckers and wrens along the railway line, is shocking. The charm of Tooting is that it is a wild area and as a regular walker, its important that it should remain that way. It does not need permanent astro turf plonked in the middle. What about parking?
Mad idea when there a number of fantsic pitches on the common already. Wandsworth council would be better off spending their money sorting out the public sex area which is offensive and obscene!!!!
I use the Common every weekend. I love it and would miss a wonderful summer picnic spot.
I love playing football, but I want to play it on grass, not somewhere I'll get hurt if I fall over.
This is common land and should not be used for a commercial venture. I strongly oppose the proposal for these football pitches.
Building these pitches will limit the benefits of the open space to a small minority of young people who can already manage a game without aritificiial pitches. Many thousands of other people will lose space and gain no benefit from football pitches.
I am opposed to common land being appropriated (particularly without the consent of local residents being sought) for commercial purposes. Common land should remain common and free.
I am opposed to this development as I am a regular user of the playground and 1 oclock club.
This is a rare green space in London which offers an attraction to a broad range of Londoners not just those who wish to play football. There must be a huge number of brownfield sites suitable for development before this rare space. We talk about caring for the environment and then concrete over a common - scandalous really.
They can play on Wandsworth Common. Build a Youth Club instead that will cater for a wider range of interests without removing green space for all to enjoy.
This is a well used, much needed green space, in an area constantly under attack from some kind of development or another. It's development further erodes our ability to enjoy a quality of life, provided for us by the foresight of people in the 18th and 19th century, which others now seek to develop, mostly for private gain.
This particular piece of common is so important to our community. Telferscot Primary school use it regularly for sporting events as they lack any green space of their own. As it is so close and not bordrered by busy roads it is vital to the school. As a nearby resident it is close by and my family use it regularly, we don't want to use a different piece of common!
I am totally against changing the common to 5 a-side pitches. This green space is a refreshing area of peace and enjoyment for me and my family. I do not want it spoilt.
This a valuable green area which should be perserved for present and future communities!!
The common should not be about making money for the council, it's there for all of us to share, not just blokes that want to play football after work!
Loss of green space on this scale in a city should not be allowed. While acknowledging that need for pitches, surely such pitches could be constructed somewhere which does not detract from a much needed free green space important for peace of mind, greenery and much more to the local community and far wider than that in the surrounding boroughs. Commons were fought for by our Victorian predecessors who recognised the need for this amenity. It seems foolish to forget this.
I think that building these pitches would seriously detract from the beautiful space of Tooting Common and the residents' enjoyment of it. Green spaces are hard enough to come by in London why build upon those that we have left? There is plenty of space on the Common to play football and other sports without having to build artificial pitches.
i want save it cause i want to play and walk jak(the dog)
i like the fairs there each year, and its really peace fulll!
its gr8 4 cycling!
It's a great natural peacefull open space
Doesn't the government care about childeren in schools any more? What gives them the right to use public land for their own profit?
I am very against this idea as I love to have a large area to have my daily exercise.......along with all my other Doggie friends.
Ollie the miniture Dachshund....(woof)
I love football but I think it is piontless to destroy such a large area of greenland to attact a load of druken yobs.
As a dog-owner I have always treasured this green open safe area to walk my dogs, and feel strongly it should be preserved for generations to come.
Green spaces should be protected at all costs.
Keep our common Green, Free and Open to everyone!
Saving the common is a must
I find it hard to believe that an area of such beauty and tranquility is now under threat. The common is much loved and used by the residents in Wandsworth and I would in no way support any change.
This proposal is completely inappropriate and apparently only being promoted by Wandsworth Council to pay for refurbishment of facilities which ought to be financed some other way. What will they want the next time there's the need to upgrade facilities - another bit of the common? It's a case of "selling the family silver" - only it's not theirs to sell! The main harm will be to Lambeth residents, as it affects the part closest to our homes and our roads will be the car/coach park.
The open spaces in London must be protected, the proposed removal of the childrens playground and '1 o'clock club' is scandalous, it is hugely popular and much needed in an area with a high population of young children.
This development has not taken the wishes of local people into consideration - the council need to take a long hard look at their planning process and positioning. Long term community benefits vs short term council profits?
This is our land, public land for the people and our right to it is enshrined. The Council has no rights to to alter this in any shape or form.
keep it free, fools..
Common land is for all people and not for the council to make money out of. If hey can't afford t maintain it leave it as fallow land.
As mark twain said land is so precious as 'they ain't making any more of it
The common already hosts so much spontaneous sporting activity; football, cricket, frisbee, dog walking, running; as well as picnics, strolling and just having fun in the fresh air. Please have the imagination to see how valuable this green open space is, and dont make it into another restrictive regimented facility, just for profit.
Common land should remain common land
Green spaces and common land are vital to the quality of life in an urban environment!
Please let everyone enjoy the Common, not just footballers. Elderly people, children, courting couples, dog walkers all enjoy the green expanse of the common - please do not diminish it by fencing off areas for footballers only.
It would be a shame to desecrate our lovely Common with these football pitches. You can play football perfectly well on the grass already available.
The council's objective of offering facilities for local residents and youths on street corners will not be met by having a commercial 5-a-side facility. The proposed development will serve well to do football players only, many of whom will be non-locals bringing extra traffic.
Please replace the existing facilities with a multi-sport facility available to local residents.
I am very interested in preserving the environment and I fear that this development will only serve to diminish further the green spaces that we have.
Derek
We really need to preserve London's public open parks
There are ample commercial fitness centres in the Tooting area .
The park is used as a source of recreation for al age groups and pet owners
The common is already covered with football pitches which are played upon all year round.
Revolting piles of rubbish are left on the common by the players every weekend-we do not need more facilities for them.
The council should be concentrating on making the common a safer and more pleasant area for those who live around it.
Why doesn't the council concentrate on more pressing issues around the common like traffic management.Elmbourne road is a motorway at the weekends.Where are the Zebra crossings etc?These pitches are un called for.I am very opposed to this ill thought out proposal.
Current usage meets current local needs
I would find it a real shame. That space is really special to me and my husband. A place to sit on a bench and look across the big green space with those lovely mature trees at the end framing it. For a minute you think you are in the country and not in the bussy London.
Our green spaces in London are vital and once developed will be lost forever. As a keen footballer I believe these proposals are extremely misguided and disastrous for our south London living environment.
There has to be an overwhelming rationale for removing any well-used common land from public free access. The case is simply not made here. Wandsworth should forget this deeply flawed proposal and leave the common as it is.
We understand the need for space for recreational and sporting activities.
We oppose the removal of grass to be replaced by an artificial, urban landscape. Our community is in danger of reducing the little bit of nature we have left; green spaces, grass and trees to an artificial environment.
That is no trade - leave the natural spaces alone please.
This land is common land, for ALL local people, not just soccer players. It should remain so for future generations.
I'm happy that the area is used for football
but not fixed flood lit pitches that can then only be used by plyers and not walkers. What about the existing Athletics site on the other side of the common.
This is very sad.
There are plenty of other areas that could host a facility such as this, and Balham / Tooting / Streatham could NOT cope with the influx of people / traffic it would create. Not to mention that the park is unique in its un-groomed beauty, and utilised to the full by the public already.
We do not want our beautiful landscape ruined by these unsightly football pitches.
London is running out of natural green open spaces and it would be a shame to see the common taken over by such a huge development.
Please please do not take away this valuable piece of land which we walk on every weekend and my 2 children have grown up playing football, frisby and having wonderful picnics on. Who needs a plethora of football pitches compared to the open space which everyone can take advantage of. Thanks, Rachel
DONT BUILD PITCHES!
Don't ruin the common!!
Please do not desecrate this wonderful area.
Stop the pitches being built.
DONT LET IT HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!
Floodlighting on the scale proposed for the development would ruin the irreplaceable environmental value of Tooting Common Triangle.
The Council can recoup expenses without the proposed development from existing users, Railtrack, and by enriching openair rec. as proposed by the Triangle users group and sports-providers.
As a local resident, I like to make use of the triangle area to get away from the local 'yob' culture that is prevalent near my house as a result of Mcdonalds / sainsbury's carpark / gala bingo. I would be devestated to see this turn into a commercial football complex which no doubt has some merits for those using it - but that ultimately its a niche market taking something away from the masses which is exceptionally unfair.
There are enough sports facilities on Tooting Common already, why do we need more? The triangle is a safe place for children and dogs. Lets keep it that way.
I think it will be a real shame if the area is changed as it is a great part of our local area.
Tooting Bec is a beautiful site. Don't ruin it with one of these Goals places. I have seen them in other areas and they are grotesque. People can kick a ball on the grass - why do they need a 5-a-side place? Are they worried about getting a little wet and a little bit of mud on their kits?
Don't take away our lovely playing area. I like to take my dogs for their walks there.
Please do not build football pitches on the lovely common that I jog around every evening. We dont need concrete on our green space or floodlighting.
We love this green area, where the children have grown up flying their kites, playing cricket, having picnics. Lets keep the Common as an open area where we can ALL enjoy our individual pastimes. It is Common Land for the enjoyment of all.
"
There is no need to ruin the coutryside which football can be played on anyway!
Don't get rid of the park!!!
A LOVELY PEACEFUL PLACE THAT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN OVER BY FOOTBALL.
Leave the common alone, so many people use it everyday, why spoil something beautiful, natural and important for all our futures?
This is an unneccessary use of common ground, there are plenty of football pitches within a close vacinity. Parking in nearby streets will be a problem for local residents
I really enjoy taking my nephews and nieces to play on the common and would hate it if the space was compromised
I can't believe such a plan is even being considered. My family and I are firmly against any plans to develop the triangle.
Do not build the floodlight pitches!!!
no football means no football pitches. tooting good place. yeah.
Lots of us use the common for recreations other than football and love the way the common offers a break from the manmade. People can play football on grass so please leave it as it is.
I have nothing against a nice friendly kick around, but for a big company to stroll in and ruin a beautiful public area is proposterous. Most of the people who benefit will not live in the immediate area, and therefore will be otherwise unnafected.
I think that this is an abomination and most people dont like football any way so why destroy such a wonderful space with an awful 'activity' ground. It has been a cherrished part of the community for many many years, also 10 football pitches will just increase the crime around the area due to the influx of chavs moving in to play 'footie'
Its a rubbish idea.
This is a green space enjoyed by everyone and should not be developed!!
Members of my family use this amenity area and would be outraged if the Wandsworth plans are allowed to go ahead.
This proposal is ridiculous.
Listen to the people who feel strongly that this idea is not at all popular and drop the plans now.
There is no need for this football pitch and it will ruin the countryside.
Please leave Tooting Common to be enjoyed by ALL.
This plan is inappriopriate and unnecessary
I feel that this is an unfair thing to do. A few, maybe, but NOT 10!
Dont build them...
Tooting Bec Common is a nature spot which attracts many local residents- from young to old. It is a beautiful area where people go for walks, have picnics, and make use of the playground, play tennis or football
- the diversity of the the common should remain.
An artificial floodlit football ground would spoil this unique park and no longer attract the local community. I am asking Wandsworth Council to drop its plan and preserve this area as a common which can be used by all local resident.
I love the common - it's important for everyone that it remains protected from these kinds of developments.
Football and sport is already played on other parts of this common. Why must everything be about making money these days. This particular area is fairly inaccessable and will no doubt be a 'white elephant'should this go ahead
I live on the edge of the common; this triangle is really the only safe place for dogs and small children to run and play without a high risk of a traffic accident or straying. Many councillors who approve the plan haven't ever seen the area or how it is used. I've seen this company's sites elsewhere - intrusive and anti-social. A horrible prospect.
Save the park!
Tooting Common already has a significant acreage devoted to sport, several football pitches, a new cricket pitch, six tennis courts and an under-used athletics track. With all of these comes a requirement for car parking which this proposed development will increase, which will affect local streets. On top of this the project brings the prospect of even more carelessly discarded litter, already a problem bringing rats.
Finally it is wrong for a private company to permanently take public land.
This common was meant for all the people of the area it does not need to lose the tranquility it currently has. Football is already played on the common and the seasons dictate that we are not subjected to after hours noise and light pollution in the one place that allows us to breath locally.
I'm sure my dog would sign this too if she could!
Tooting Common is a vital liung in an overcrowded city. Let us keep it as an open space for all
This is equivalent to enclosing the commons. This was a habit of the villainous Earl Spencer of the time on Wandsworth and Wimbledon Commons. Wandcsworth is not normally a villainous council. I don't thik they should be now.00000000000
Common land should not be used in this way. There are already sufficient such facilities locally
I agree that this is common land and people should continue to have access to and on it - for free.
It is essential to keep these beautiful greenspaces to harmonise urban living.
Wandsworth has sold/is selling off other plenty of other public land, (eg school and their playgrounds) so perhaps some of this, or the profits, could be used for football instead.
I disagree with spoiling a valuable and much used open space.
Much research has shown that open spaces, with their peace and quiet, play an important role in health, both mental and physical, and particularly in relation to the reduction of stress levels. Developing part of Tooting Common for the benefit of the few but to the detriment of many residents and visitors is wrong.
There is so little public green space,we should protect that which we have,for our own generation and future ones. Also there are plently of existing sports facilities which are unused in the evenings weekends and holidays in schools. Open these up to the public for a fee.
There is no need for this "development". It can only detract from the Common, which makes it difficult not to be cynical about the motives for wanting it.
Don't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
London needs open spaces where residents can relax in the open air.
My grandchildren have very places where they can just run and play without being organised.
Keep the developers off Tooting Common.
Not needed. Triangle centre provides much needed facilities for youth which otherwise hangs abound Cornford Grove estate.
I do not wish to play football on astro turf courts when the common already serves a broader purpose -there are plenty of football pitches to play on already.
London needs all the green space it can hold on to
The Common should remain a green open for multiple uses by everyone - of both sexes and all ages.
Common Land is for everyone.Not every one wants to or can play football. The proposal is looking to cater for a minority group, at the cost of loosing already limited natural resources in london.There is no justification to support the loss of open space.
Common land should not be used for anything that will alter its character
This is outrageous!!! money before people. Why not use brown site?
Please support the Rudolph Steiner School, too.
As a campaigner against the London Development Agency and Mayor Ken Livingstone's planning application to sell off areas of our public park for private luxury housing - namely Crystal Palace Park - Grade II*, MOL, much a Conservation Area - I am well aware of the threat to our precious open green spaces and parks by those who only view them as development locations & commercial opportunities. Once the precedent is established, our parks and open spaces will disappear as have our playing fields.
At present I`m on the Common three times a week playing football with children and I don`t see any reason why this beautiful green space should disappear to make way for some sterile floodlit development that would totally spoil the views,tranquility and peaceful scenery ,all too precious in this city .Too many green spaces are disappearing before our eyes and let`s face it there is only one motive :someone is out there who will make a lot of money . But Money can`t bring back the countryside.No
The open green spaces provided by the common are an integral part of why we chose to live here. With outside spaces/gardens at such an expensive premium this proposal will reduce the incentives for new homeowners and urban regneration of the surrounding area.
Do not build floodlit pitches on tooting triange - too much of the world is becoming built up rather than green space!!!!
TOTALLY AGAINST as:
- Unnecessary as exiting facilities on common more than sufficient and under utilised and managed.
- Existing use regularly abused by (not all but) MANY thoughtless football litterbugs.
Consider:
- Adapting under utilised running track (which has parking facilities - admittedly poorly maintained)
- Remove the restricted parking along Doctor Johnson Avenue (at the very least along one side) to allow the common to be used much more.
- Providing more youth clubs.
boo to local councils that have alternative and dishonest agendas with unscrupulous developers
Wandsworth Council is severely damaging its reputation for good governance with this appalling plan.
As a user if this common I feel very strongly that it should be for the use of everyone. That's why its called a common, it's for the use of the common people. Open green space are the lungs of the city - don't suffocate us with this scheme.