Bishop's Park will be preserved

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Hammersmith & Fulham Council will not allow the current proposed development of sporting facilities on Bishop's Park to go ahead.

Commenting on the proposal, Cllr Stephen Burke, leader of the council, said:

"The council supports the protection of open spaces in the borough and of course listens to the concerns of its residents. Our role is to manage Bishop's Park for the benefit of the borough and after careful consideration we do not believe that the proposal for an astroturf sports facility is in the public interest in this location. We will therefore not allow this proposed development to go ahead.

"Therefore, even if the planning application by the Fulham Football Club Community Sports Trust is approved by the council as planning authority, following the statutory process, the council as landowner will not permit the development to proceed.

"The council already has plans for almost £300,000 worth of environmental and play improvements in Bishops Park and our ambitions are for all our open spaces to evolve in line with people's changing needs. However, decisions about any developments must take into account a wide array of considerations, and in this case we feel the benefits of green, open space outweigh those of an astroturf pitch.

"This decision does not alter our commitment to developing affordable community sport facilities for all in the borough. The current development of the Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool in White City is an example of this commitment to sporting development. The 2012 Olympics in London provides huge opportunities to create first class facilities for everyone - world class athletes, sports clubs and those who play sport for fun and to keep fit. The council's sports strategy, which will be published shortly, will look at the needs of borough residents, the existing provision of sports facilities and how we can develop new provision in appropriate locations with partner organisations. The council will consult fully on the strategy."

Hammersmith & Fulham MP, Greg Hands expressed his delight today as the Labour Council finally admitted defeat over the Bishops Park astro-turfing planning application.

This development came as a direct result of the massive local campaign to stop the proposal. Greg assisted the campaign by raising a number of questions in Parliament, unearthing the 1884 Covenant document from the Bishop of London and putting out thousands of leaflets opposing the development.

Greg said: “I would like to thank Karin Cardiff, the leader of he residents’ campaign, and the scores of local volunteers who have fought relentlessly to prevent this ludicrous scheme. It has been one of the most impressive local campaigns I have seen in the borough.

“Credit must also go to Bernard Bunting, who campaigned to bring the matter to the attention of the Bishop of London after it was discovered that this proposed development contravened the 1884 Covenant.

Greg added: “This is second time in recent years that this Labour Council has attempted to sell off one of our local parks. I am pleased that common sense has prevailed but this situation could so easily have been avoided had they have offered better advice to the football club from the start.”

October 29, 2005