More details from Wandsworth
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.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:22 am
New facilities would require 13,206 square metres. There are 8,212 square metres of existing facilities. The proposed development would mean a 4,994.00 square metres DECREASE in common land in the EXISTING area.
By ‘displacing’ the 4,994.00 square metres to the 12,165 square metre Woodfield area, the council comes up with the sum 7,171 square metres - an ‘increase’ in common land.
Isn’t the Woodfield area already common land?
March 10th, 2008 at 2:09 am
It is patently obvious that the only numbers that add up in this cockeyed equation are the perceived revenues that may be gleaned from our land by Wandsworth Council, (and their “altruistic” partners, Goals Football). Even a skateboard park or BMX track would satisfy our disaffected youth better than this! I cannot believe that those elected custodians of the borough are not getting, or are going to get, hammered by their political colleagues, political opponents, local residents, “green” groups, dog-walkers, picnicers… ad infinitum. Political suicide? We can only hope… and get active enough to ensure that this is an own goal worthy of many an action replay.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Disaffected youth are unlikely to be paying high prices to private providers. Keep wildlife, people friendly park land and the possibility of informal football for juniors.