Campaigners to fight sale of park for homes
COUNCIL DOES TESTS – BUT ‘NO DECISIONS ON SITE MADE’
A PARK could be sold by the council as land for housing.
Blaby District Council is carrying out ground tests to see if Southey Close recreation ground, in Enderby, would be suitable for housing. The land was previously a landfill site.
The council has said only part of the site, known to locals as Wimpey Park after the firm that build nearby homes, is being considered and, at this early stage, no decisions have been made.
But park users have banded together to form Wimpey Park action group.
Sandra Stevens, a member of the group, said: “The park is a muchloved and valued open space in our village.
“It is always in use by children playing and young people meeting their friends, friends meeting up and socialising, people of all ages playing or watching sport, walkers and dog walkers, fitness groups and families gathering for picnics.
“It is a green oasis in the middle of our village with some woodland, trees and wildlife including bats.
“The park is easily accessible to everyone and there is good access around the site so it’s especially important for those who are less mobile.
“The residents of Enderby are understandably very concerned about this. We only found out about it when we spotted contractors taking soil samples from the park several weeks ago.
“After many inquiries with Blaby District Council and various councillors, eventually they issued a statement confirming they were assessing the viability for part of the park to be disposed of for housing.
“Enderby is a large village so to lose a large part of the park will have a huge impact ”
The group said the land is being considered for up to 28 houses.
This number has not been confirmed by the council which said it cannot confirm specifics at such an early stage.
Blaby District Council has said that any proposed sale would be discussed in full at a council meeting, but creating affordable housing was a priority.
A spokesman for the council said: “The consideration of Southey Close Park is in the very early stages.
“At the moment only site surveys and monitoring are taking place to assess the site and no decisions have been made as to whether this site will be disposed of.
“While the site may allow for some of the area to be developed, the play area and football pitch on the park would be retained and improved if any development was to take place.
“Blaby District Council has a priority and requirement to deliver affordable housing and, as a result, we need to consider areas of council-owned land where there might be an opportunity to provide possible sites for development of affordable housing.
“No disposal will take place without a decision being taken by Blaby District Council members at a full council meeting, and must then go through the full planning process to gain permission for any development to take place.”
Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Hartshorn representative of Blaby South, has said he will oppose any plans.
He said: “It has been brought to my attention investigations are under way regarding selling off of another park. This time it’s the recreation ground in Southey Close in Enderby.
The Conservative-run council is assessing the viability for part of the park to be disposed of for affordable housing. “My colleagues and I all understand the need for affordable housing but not at the expense of our parks which are vital for our mental health.
“I want to reassure you that I will therefore oppose any selling of our local parks. My concern is which park may be next.”
Coun Hartshorn also spoke against the sale of part of the recreation ground in Whetstone which Blaby District Council approved in July as part of a package of land to be used for housing.
At the council meeting to discuss that, council leader Terry Richardson said: “We have a shortage of affordable housing. We have a waiting list of several hundred.
“Would I like to keep every green space as a green space? Yes. Am I allowed to? No.”
It is a green oasis in the middle of our village with some woodland, trees and wildlife including bats Sandra Stevens