Hidden away in a new ‘Asset Strategy’ document, Labour have given themselves a blank cheque to build on school playing fields, saying “A number of school sites have very large playing fields and ancillary land that may be considered excessive for the number of students that attend the school. Where this may be the case the schools will be identified and opportunities considered for development of affordable housing”

Labour to build on school playing fields

Look overleaf for more details

Labour set to build on school playing fields

In their manifesto for the local elections, Labour said they viewed open spaces as “key assets for the local community”. If you read those words at the time, you probably interpreted them as meaning that Labour believed that these were places which needed to be protected. It turns out they had a much more sinister meaning. The Labour Council has just published a paper entitled Asset Strategy 2014-2019 proposing to build over them: “A number of school sites have very large playing fields and ancillary land that may be considered excessive for the number of students that attend the school. Where this may be the case the schools will be identified and opportunities considered for development of affordable housing”. (In case you’re interested, when Labour talks about “affordable housing” it means council housing, not homes local people can afford to buy). This is an appalling policy. There are plenty of brownfield sites in Croydon suitable for development. What we’re short of - particularly in the centre and north of the borough - is open spaces. Yet at a time when more and more children aren’t getting enough exercise, our Council is planning to build on their playing fields. No wonder Edward Handley of the Croydon Playing Fields Association said he was “horrified” when he was told about these plans. When the Croydon Advertiser challenged the councillor responsible - Simon Hall, who represents Fieldway ward - he said a list had been drawn up of all schools in Croydon comparing pupil numbers with playing field size but “he was reluctant to give specific examples”. So there you have it: a hit-list has been drawn up but this councillor - whose salary we all pay - won’t tell us which schools are on it. When pushed he admitted “some are in the New Addington area” and finally named one, Castle Hill Primary in his own ward. If you feel as angry about this as I do, please sign the petition I am collecting to try to force the Council to think again at www.gavinbarwell.com/saveourschoolfields - and ask your neighbours to sign it too.

Sign the petition on: www.gavinbarwell.com/SaveOurSchoolFieldsPromoted by Ian Parker on behalf of Croydon Conservative Federation, both at 36 Brighton Road, Purley, CR8 2LG. Printed by OPT Complete Print Solutions Ltd, Trend House, 58 Coulsdon Road, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 2LA

Read more on my blog:www.gavinbarwell.com