'Public Outrage growing over council land disposals' says MP

12.00.00am GMT Tue 4th Feb 2003

After the public meeting on Heathfield Recreation Ground, attended by 400+ local people, another public meeting is being called at the Tertiary College on Thursday to protest over the redesignation of the Craneford Way playing fields in Twickenham and the adjacent Marsh Farm allotments.

Vincent Cable will chair the meeting and says that he is receiving "very strong feedback from the community that the council is trying to hoodwink them with a furtive change in land use description which will lead to concreting over the only public open space in the area and the loss of valued allotments".

Under the proposals the fields could be used for building on by the College and the allotments sold for housing.

There are also plans to redesignate the council depot and the Harlequins ground but the council's intentions on these sites are obscure.

Vincent Cable said: "I have no doubt that there could be some more creative use of the open space which is currently disfigured by graffiti filled walls and rubbish strewn pathways, which the council is neglecting."

"But it is inexcusable for the council to put forward, without proper explanation, proposals which will allow building on an expanse of Metropolitan Open Land and a children's playground, which is the only safe open recreational place for residents in the area."

"Vincent Cable also defended the allotment holders who he said: "were active allotment holders and fully committed to maintaining their environmentally friendly and healthy hobby.

Some are 'refugees' from other closed allotments. They want to take a stand over this site and I am fully behind them"."

"Allotment holder contact names: Trudi Morgan 8892 2492 or Mr Craick 8892 1410