Precious hasn’t posted a blog for a while because, as far as we know, Wandsworth has taken very little action with regard to the pitches. Our petition, which attracted nearly 1200 signatories in a very short period of time was presented to Wandsworth Council at a recent scrutiny committee meeting but appears to have been given only a cursory glance. However, we gather that an advertisement seeking expressions of interest is due to be published soon and the pitch development remains firmly on Wandsworth’s agenda. So please come along to the Tooting MAC APM and give your views.

Tooting Commons Management Advisory Committee (MAC) 2008 Annual Public Meeting (APM), Monday 23rd June 2008Tooting Commons MAC is a group which monitors how Tooting Commons are run, and is made up of local people and representatives from local organisations and sports clubs.The MAC meets regularly to help achieve a balance between facilities for formal and informal recreational use on the commons, to monitor the protection and development of plant and animal life, to retain and enhance the natural character of the commons and to promote public interest and participation in the protection and appreciation of the commons.Members of the MAC and council officers will be presenting reports on the following topics:- Crime 
- The Triangle Field development plans
- Parking
- Ecology/Wildlife
- Others to be confirmedAll members of the public are very welcome to attend the meeting. There will be opportunities for questions from the floor.Attendees at the APM will include officers & other outgoing members of the MAC, councillors & council officers from Wandsworth, and any others interested in the management and welfare of the commons.  The members of the MAC for the coming year will be elected at the meeting.

Location: St Anselm’s School, Louisville Road, Tooting Bec SW17 8BS (nearest tube Tooting Bec, on the Northern Line)
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=528126&y=172354&z=0&sv=SW17+8BS&st=2&pc=SW17+8BS&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf  

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23493118-details/Anne+Marie-Duff+supports+fight+against+artificial+pitches+on+Tooting+Common/article.do  

Anne-Marie Duff supports fight against artificial pitches on Tooting Common

Katharine Barney, Evening Standard
10.06.08  Residents are campaigning to stop artificial pitches being built on Tooting Common. Wandsworth council plans to earn £50,000 a year by leasing out part of Tooting Triangle to developers who want to build sports facilities there. It says the area, including a playground, needs refurbishment, which would be paid for by the developers. It also promises to add nearby Woodfield Recreation Ground to the common, increasing the total green space by 7,500 square metres. But locals say about 12 floodlit football pitches would take away their green space, ruin a wildlife habitat and increase traffic and noise pollution. They are supported by Anne-Marie Duff, who stars in new film The Waiting Room, which features Tooting Triangle. The actress said: “You can see from the film what a lovely place it is to go for a walk. I’d be really sorry to see it disappear.” A Wandsworth spokesman said: “This part of the common is tucked away between two railway lines and has already been built on. It is home to a disused youth club, a playground and one o’clock centre, which are all in need of refurbishment. It has existing floodlit all-weather pitches and is not a grassed area.”