Council gets a rap over housing on playing fields

3.38.27pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th May 2003

At a well attended area consultation meeting in Hampton wick the council leader, Councillor Arbour, was faced with angry residents protesting at council proposals to remove Metropolitan Open Land status from Collis School playing fields in order to permit the building of (affordable) housing (as well as to extend the school).

Residents argued that the small number of affordable homes involved could be built on one of the many other brown field sites becoming available without sacrificing playing fields.

There was agreement that the school itself should be expanded; but residents believed that the expanded school should not lose playing fields, (which also provide space for the Sacred Heart RC primary).

Vincent Cable, MP, who was at the meeting, said: "The council has badly misjudged the public mood. It is most unlikely in any event to get this proposal past the government since Planning Guidance (PPG17) makes it clear that playing fields can only be built on in exceptional circumstances, when other options have been fully explored. "

"This policy is a reaction to a period in the 1980's and early 1990's when many councils found it an easy option to allow 'asset stripping' of their playing fields and parks".

Vincent Cable also commented that he had now received confirmation in writing from the Planning Minister that, contrary to the claims of some Conservative councillors, there is no question of the council being 'fined' or subject to financial penalties if it fails to meet housing targets:

"I have sent the letter to Councillor Arbour. The council is "

"under pressure to allow the building of more houses and to provide more affordable homes. "

"But this should not be done by sacrificing the environment. And the administration should not exaggerate the constraints from central government and use the government as an excuse for bad planning decisions."