Community’s joy as playing fields are saved for future generations
Playing fields at the centre of a long-running battle have been saved for future generations to enjoy.
Campaigners spent years fighting for the green space on the site of the former Oakleigh Gardens School in Cleadon Village to be protected, with fears the land would be used for housing.
This included community members lodging a bid to make the land a designated ‘village green’ in 2016, which wasblockedbySouthTyneside Council.
Following calls from the OakleighGardensCommunity Action Group, a public inquiry was launched into the plans in 2018.Butcampaignerscontinued to be unsuccessful in their endeavour.
Now, however, the playing fields have been made a ‘Field in Trust’, which prevents the land being used for anything other than recreation, sport and play in future.
The green space has been protected in perpetuity in a legal agreement known as a ‘Deed of Dedication – between the council as landowner and the Fields in Trust charity.
Councillor Joan Atkinson, Deputy Leader of South TynesideCouncilwithresponsibilityforCulture,Leisureand theVisitorEconomy,said:“Local
people are passionate and protective about this open green space and have always enjoyed it for recreational use.
“Our partnership with Fields in Trust means that these playing fields will always
remainso,safeguardedforgenerationstocome.Thisisagreat boost for the physical health and well-being of local people and the environment.
“Thelocalcommunityhave playedakeyroleintheprocess,
championing the site for Field in Trust status.”
PhilToulson,wholivesnear the site, was happy to see the land become a Field in Trust.
He said: “I first played rugby at Oakleigh Gardens over
50 years ago. Granting Fields in Trust status to the fields will safeguard the area for recreational use for at least another 50 years.”
Oakleigh Gardens joins three other open green spaces
inSouthTynesidetoholdField in Trust status.
These include King George V playing fields in Galsworthy Road, King George V playing fields at Lindisfarne Road and Lukes Lane Sports Field.