6 days Ago
Campaigner and Shoebury resident Jo Bates launched a petition last month to oppose plans by the Garon Park Community Interest Company to add extra 3G football pitches. Residents expressed concerns the plans will include the flattening of “beautiful wild areas” and turning them into unaffordable “pay-for-use” football pitches. At Thursday night’s meeting of Southend’s full council, Ms Bates questioned a “concerning creep of new facilities”.
Anne Jones, Labour councillor for housing and planning, confirmed the council is investigating the claims. Ms Bates also claimed that work has started at the park, however the Garon Park Community Interest Company insisted work will not begin until planning permission is granted. Leigh resident and green activist, Simon Gittus, has been involved in the campaign and praised the council for considering action.
He said: “I’m pleased to see the council addressing this issue with the seriousness it deserves. If it’s true that planning conditions are being breached and work has commenced on-site without the required permissions, then enforcement action must follow. “This land belongs to the community, and any recreational spaces developed should benefit all Southend residents.
“Both the developer and the council must consider the potential harm to wildlife and nature caused by constructing sports infrastructure, like the one at Garon’s, which so far, demonstrates minimal benefits to grassroots sports.” Responding to the question, Ms Jones said: “The council has an open ongoing planning enforcement investigation into the concerns raised. “When considering the matter from both a planning enforcement and planning application perspective, nature and community access considerations will form part of the relevant material planning considerations.
” A spokesman for Garon Park CIC said: “We are not aware of any enforcement action but can confirm a planning application has been submitted to Southend Council for the development of new facilities to meet the needs of grassroots teams, colleges and charities. We currently have over 6,500 children and adults using the sports pitches every month. Work has not started on the new developments as we are awaiting the outcome of the planning application.
”.
