Five-a-side pitches proposal dropped

By LiseS | Thursday, October 14, 2010, 17:52

Haringey Council's proposal to create five football pitches and 83 car parking spaces in Finsbury Park has been dropped after consultation this summer. The space is currently open and free to use, and residents expressed concern that the proposed pitches and parking would change this land use significantly and increase traffic congenstion in the area.

Local residents: "What's wrong with jumpers for goalposts, anyway?"

Several residents objected to the idea of public land being taken over by private commerce, and areas of the park becoming unavilable to non-members of the football club. Others felt there was sufficient existing provision for football in the park, and raised concerns that other sports would be forced off the land to make way for the pitches.

The space is currently used for community events, Level 1 off road cycle training, and Pedal Power, an integrated cycling group that meets in the park twice-monthly. The Islington Cyclists' Action Group argued that these needs are not catered for elsewhere and the plans would represent a genuine loss of local amenities and opportunities for the community.

Haringey Council has said it will not pursue the five-a-side proposal further, but is still keen to look for ways to secure non-public investment in sports and recreation. More information about the proposed scheme, including plans, FAQs and the results of the consultation can be found at this page.

Image: Katie@!

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Comments

I think it would more misleading to describe 82 objections as "widespread and overwhelming opposition". The million man march was widespread and overwhelming opposition; the poll tax riots were widespread and overwhelming opposition; this appears to have inspired fewer than a hundred people to go to the very small effort of filling out a form on the council's website.

By vardebedian at 11:51 on 16/10/10
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"55 comments were received expressing these types of concern [about privatisation/restricted use/charging for use]" and "27 comments were received objecting to [parking]". I make that several. Source: http://tinyurl.com/2uqeux3

By darien at 10:16 on 16/10/10
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"Several residents", Lise? Tut-tut. Is that really an accurate report of the facts? It was an awful lot more than several. There was overwhelming and widespread opposition.

People can read all the debates on Harringay Online. Does anyone really think that Haringey Council would be diverted from it's chosen path by just "several residents"?

By Harr_Online at 22:30 on 15/10/10
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Why does it have to be all or nothing? Have the pitches and forget the parking!

By Sarahkk at 17:11 on 15/10/10
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I wouldn't mind some new facilities but I'm glad the council took everyone's views into consideration. Hopefully they can find another way to bring in funding.

By janey258 at 10:56 on 15/10/10
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