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Objectors who oppose plans for a sports pitch at their park |
Pitch battle as park regulars fear for their peaceful haven
Teenagers’ games court will destroy gardens’ tranquillity, pensioners warn
ELDERLY people have warned that they are being pushed out of their much-loved Finsbury park to make way for a teenagers’ football pitch.
Angry pensioners protested at plans to transform Radnor Street Gardens, at Monday’s meeting of Islington Council’s south area planning committee.
A “multi-use games court” is being built at the park as part of the redevelopment of next-door Toffee Park Adventure Playground.
Older residents from nearby Pleydell estate who have enjoyed the tranquillity of the gardens for decades say they are being kicked out to make way for noisy youngsters.
Retired printer Terrence Le Ferve, 75, said: “Older people are being displaced and feel a bit left out by the whole thing.
“What is strange about this proposal is that, here on the Pleydell, we’re already paying £50,000 towards a £120,000 football pitch.”
The grandfather-of-five added: “We are doing so much for the children but there’s nothing for the older people. In this fine weather it’s nice for them to go to the park and read a paper without someone kicking a football about.”
Islington Council, which is carrying out the work in partnership with EC1 New Deal regeneration body, has admitted a number of perfectly healthy trees will be removed.
Council officer Stephen Crabtree told the committee: “Most of the trees that are coming out are unhealthy and/or dog-damaged but some trees are coming out for aesthetic reasons.”
White beam, cherry, almond and apple trees face the axe.
Robynne Fletcher, a housewife and mother-of-one from Pleydell estate, said: “They are proposing to replace them with Mediterranean-style conifers, which will completely alter the character of the place.
“They are proposing to destroy healthy trees and we need all the healthy trees we’ve got around here.”
Work on the park will involve repositioning entrances and providing footpaths and seating.
A grandmother-of-five, who asked not to be named, said after the meeting: “They should leave it as it is. It’s the only thing we’ve got around here.
“This is a highly stressful area to live in. Radnor Street Gardens gives you peace and tranquillity you can’t get anywhere else.”
Councillor Ruth Polling executive member for leisure said it was spending £2 million on improving parks this year. She said: “This popular open space is in need of a redesign and many residents told us that we needed to improve accessibility and safety so that more people can use it for exercise and relaxation.
“Residents told us during the consultation that there was a need for an additional sports facility, so we have also included a new ball court in one corner of the park. The plans will create a fantastic new green area for the benefit of all residents.” |
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