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Park games are not much fun for people who live nearby
• AROUND three years ago, between Camden Council and the National Grid, it was decided (against tenants’ protest) to remove the football pitch in the Grange park,West Hampstead and relocate it to adjoin our estate Webheath.
The pitch and goalpost are now approximately 25ft from our back doors and bed-room windows. It is a very large pitch, also has basketball facilities,and is home to loud concerts, fetes etcetera.
This metal fenced pitch, (which incidentally according to the parks manager is “sound-proof”, my intelligence has never been so insulted).
Like the football pitch in the Cantelowes Park was only supposed to be used when hired, but this changed when the Liberal Democrats got involved and is now a free for all, with no restrictions.opening at 10am seven days a week 365 days a year and closing when the park closes.
Hence the summer months are dreaded by us who live here in Maple house. Last summer two of my neighbour’s windows were stoned and smashed, by youths in a dispute over their ball.
The police who arrived were appalled the pitch is so close and balls are allowed to travel freely into our gardens.
We have repeatedly asked for a net over the pitch to prevent this happening and have been told its too dangerous for the players.
Apparently it may fall on them, but never mind us who live here dodging balls travelling at 30 miles an hour.
I have had garden furniture smashed and plants trodden on, and dare not venture out during play, not unless I fancy donning a hard hat – not ideal for sun-bathing!
The Sunday match is by far the worse with noise levels and swearing intolerable.
It’s not uncommon to find youths on our premises trying to retrieve their balls. Sometimes polite, sometimes not and at times quite aggressive. Something must be done.
It’s not fair that we can’t use our own space in peace. During the winter I even have to draw our curtains by 3pm to avoid being blinded by the flood-lights. We understand people need to use these parks for fun, but please footballers and skaters, have some understanding for us.
It’s our home.
Name and address supplied, NW6
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