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Anger over sports pitch plans for Regent’s Park
CONSERVATIONISTS are up in arms about a £2.1 million scheme to build five-a-side football pitches on the site of a historical building in Regent’s Park.
Construction on the five-acre patch of land could begin as early as spring if planning permission is granted.
Park bosses have also announced plans to close down golf driving ranges and tennis courts that they claim are past their sell-by dates.
The Royal Parks Agency (RPA), the government body which runs the park, and private developers, Goals Soccer Centre, will seek planning permission to build the 10 pitches from Westminster City Council at the end of November.
Conservation groups have strongly objected to the development, which will be built on a relatively untouched area where the 1830s mansion Holford House stood before being demolished after the Blitz.
Sue Neve of Regent’s Park Conservation Area Advisory Committee said: “We are very concerned about the ecological impact it will have on the park. This area is very different to the rest of Regent’s park and I’m concerned about the loss of natural landscape.”
Chairman of Friends of Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, Malcolm Kafetz, warned floodlights and noise would threaten wildlife.
Head of the RPA Mark Camley said: “This development is part of our commitment to offer high quality sporting facilities available to all, including local schools.”
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