Vital local park in Redbridge faces disposal threat

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The London Borough of Redbridge is planning to grant a 35-year lease of Goodmayes Park Extension to the Singh Sabha Football Club. We have objected.

The park is greatly enjoyed by local people for informal recreation, it is a vital green lung in an urban area. The park is treasured by them, it is an invaluable asset to the community.

We fear that the football club has no expertise or interest in managing a park for the wider public to enjoy. We are concerned that this change is motivated by the council’s wish to save money rather than a wish to preserve the park for the people. There is no assurance that the park will be managed with the public interest to the fore, nor that the club will continue to allow the public access that currently is enjoyed and be able to man the park during its opening hours.’

Says Richard Leighton, chairman of the Friends of Goodmayes Park and a member of the society: ‘The main criticism is that this is open green space and, when it was given to the borough, that is what it was meant to be for ever. Now we have a private club wishing to use the 25 acres, and because the public is not allowed to see the terms of any agreement, people do not know on what terms they can use the land. It is clear that public open space must be preserved, and even more so now, when such areas are being targeted for unsuitable developments.’

If you wish to object, you should send an email to info.property@redbridge.gov.uk by 22 February.

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