Wandsworth has issued another press release - more predictable spin, huff and puff. Some of it is, frankly, laughable. Apparently, ”as the drawing clearly indicates…the common would increase in size quite significantly.” An interesting concept this - whack up a huge commercial manmade development, knock down a fence surrounding an area of Metropolitan Open Land, and tell people the Common’s going to get “significantly bigger”. Surely some mistake?

”Local parents tell us they want extra facilities for their children in this part of Tooting”. Fact: The Triangle isn’t in Tooting - it lies between Balham and Streatham. Fact: despite repeated requests, the Council declines to provide any evidence that it has researched the issue - let alone provided robust data that proves what parents want are more 5 a side football pitches.

So, do we want a decent playground - yes. Do we want Common land that is properly looked after? Yes.

Do local residents want a floodlit, commercial football development on a beautiful, much loved wilderness that already supports any number of sporting activities - no thanks. 

Wandsworth also says it wants to give “young people structured activities to enjoy and give them a healthy and constructive alternative to hanging around on street corners”. Well, didn’t the ‘disused’ youth club provide that?. 

We thought we’d have a good look at the Goals Football website to see how they provide these ‘healthy and constructive alternatives’. Warning: this report contains flash claims…

”Whether it’s an inter-office grudge match or a kickabout with your mates, after work or at the weekend, we’re ready to host your big match, open 7 days 9am - 11pm. 5-a-side has come a long way from coats down in the park days. Sand-filled pitches have been given the red card! Only Goals feature the very latest rubber-crumb artificial grass on all its pitches…

”You’ll be amazed at our facilities, quality changing and locker rooms, hot showers and a superb sports bar to enjoy a post match analysis with your mates…”

Wow, ‘your post-work big match, post-match analysis with your mates, superb sports bar’ - perfect for all those children who are, apparently, in dire need of facilities like these. Oh, and did we mention this isn’t an altruistic Wandsworth-funded community service? These kind of amazing facilities come at a considerable cost, anything up to £100 per pitch per hour. Somewhat beyond the reach of the average kid who hangs around street corners.

The Triangle - and most of the Common - is a vibrant, cherished green space that is already used for kids’ sports, exercising dogs and people of all ages. In short, most local people and, crucially, the people who actually use and love the space don’t think that this development would in any way enhance it.

The petition opposing Wandsworth Council’s proposed commercial football complex on the Triangle is now live.  Sign up now up and please encourage everyone you know who is against the plan to sign up too. Do make a comment too - it helps add weight and credibility. We’re aiming for at least 1,000 signatures by Easter.

Please note all personal information is treated in the strictest confidence by the petition facilitator.

After intensive lobbying, Lambeth Council agreed at a meeting on 30th January 2008 that it should officially oppose this proposal. This is an important decision as it’s unusual for one council to oppose another prior to public consultation. The motion was passed as follows:

Tooting Triangle Field
Council notes the intention of LB Wandsworth to construct up to 12 five-a-side fenced and floodlit hard-surface football pitches on the Triangle Field, an area of Tooting Bec Common on the edge of Wandsworth used mainly by Lambeth residents in Streatham Hill, St Leonard’s and Thornton wards. 
Council opposes these plans and will take vigorous steps to campaign against the proposed development. 
Council instructs the Chief Executive to ask his opposite number at Wandsworth to drop this plan which would cause grave damage to the natural environment of the common and loss of metropolitan open land.