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Some 200 people turned out at the protest on Sunday to stop the development of the sports centre in Regent’s Park – their calls were supported by a 4,000-strong petition |
Weekend protesters sensed victory with impressive turnout
Regent’s Park fight backed by 4,000 petitioners
RAIN-SOAKED but unbowed, columnist Sir Simon Jenkins and broadcaster Sue MacGregor joined the march through Regent’s Park on Sunday as protesters stepped up their campaign against plans to turn a meadow into a new floodlit five-a-side football centre.
The protest against a deal between private operators Goals Soccer Centre and the Royal Parks Agency came ahead of the crunch planning meeting last night (Thursday).
They were buoyed by information that the plan would be spiked after planning officials from both Westminster and Camden raised serious concerns.
The councillors in Westminster would have had to have ignored the advice of their own experts if they were to approve the £2.1 million project.
Among those who braved the weekend’s miserable weather were members of the Friends of Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill who turned up in force.
The scheme would have turned the public meadow known as the Holdford House into a lucrative nine-pitch five-a-side complex and bar pavilion.
Goals, whose investors include Sir Rodney Walker, a former director at Leicester City Football Club, have already proved how financially attractive the five-a-side football industry is, posting soaring profits earlier this year at a series of similar facilities around the country.
Sixty trees, which campaigners argued provide a vital habitat for bats and tawny owls, would have been axed.
The campaigners wrapped the trees in yellow ribbons.
Friends’ chairman Malcolm Kafetz said the park protest was a “strength of feeling” represented by a 4,000-strong petition.
The march went from Hanover Bridge to the site of Holdford House where the 200 or so protesters gathered to watch Mr Kafetz and Ms MacGregor provide an on the campaign-trail-style interview.
Ms MacGregor, who has lived in the area for 10 years, said: “It has plenty of space for football already.
“This is purely a commercial venture which is against the rules of the park. It would be an act of commercial vandalism to do this.”
Sir Simon Jenkins added: “I used to crawl in there as a child and explore the undergrowth.
“It should always be left as wilderness.
“It is a really natural space – the only one left in central London.”
Nick Biddle, from the Royal Parks Agency, said: “I think objections on the basis that it’s a commercial partnership are spurious.” He said the development would only account for half an acre of the park and would have benefited schools nearby. |
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