Hi Claire just to clarify Acton Park is a Park in a conservation area. Southfields is a recreation ground, although, forgive me I'm not sure of its status. Although I value improved facilities for park goers and young people, recently Acton Park has been drifting towards 'recreation' - a new adventure playground, mini golf replacing the bowling green, new gym equipment, the school with its entrance in the park itself and now the proposed skate park which will be ugly, possibly floodlit at night, and despite the claims that it will be 'hidden'from view, the misleading level of evergreen tree cover shown in the brochure (as opposed to the recently planted saplings) will make it visible from every single road. If you see my post, you'll see that I don't believe it's council money funding this - rather I believe it to be developer money - hence the glossy brochures etc. They have to spend it on something that improves people's lives. I have emailed Rupa Huq on a couple of occasions to ask who exactly is funding the park expansions but she has failed to reply. I do get your point about people playing rounders in Southfield and any expansion will jeopardise this for people on that side.Frankly if we had to have the skate park somewhere in Acton Park, it should be closer to The Vale, where there are existing recreational facilities, not on one of the few remaining green open spaces. However, unless we stand up and say ENOUGH OVER DEVELOPMENT of parks and green spaces they will continue building on both. Perhaps a first stop might be to slow the accelerated development of new build tower blocks in the area that, without parking, are less appealing to those who might want a car. Flats over 6 floors are often unmortgageable, and they are all very expensive. You might ask, who exactly are the flats aimed at? If they're only for investors, why should we have to ruin our parks? Build Acton a new high tech medical centre if you want to spend some money.
Jack Cloake ● 2825d