Forum Topic

Council Cashing in on Gunnersbury Park

Are they leaving any of the park for people who are interested in green space? Or will it all be astroturf, zip lines, music festivals and event cinema for middle-class kidult instagrammers? I know the council is desperate for cash, and some councillors have vested interests in developments, but this kind of selling out isn't good for the long term future of the park. I guess I should be happy they haven't converted Gunnersbury House into 'luxury' flats... yet.

James Moore ● 2727d22 Comments

Trouble is their budgets have been slashed by central Govt so they have to raise money somehow for their statutory duties, if nothing else. This is one creative way of raising some much needed cash....

Chris Hurley ● 2712d

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/aug/31/londons-parks-accused-of-creeping-privatisation-of-public-spacesWe definitely need greater protection for public green spaces, especially with the current council who have demonstrated a propensity for selling out public assets for magic beans.

James Moore ● 2712d

It's a large area and should be enough space for everyone, hopefully a section will be left as a park.

Janice Evans ● 2721d

I see that's a new park on bollo bridge road consultation on going till September mind berrymeade school use this .I dont know where they will use or keep using the new one .You can this plan on yoursouthacton.com/news

John Kennedy ● 2722d

Overall parks in Acton are currently being over developed.  In part this, if you read the Ealing Plan was what they promised, mostly funded with developer money.  HOWEVER the council also committed to creating NEW green spaces with developers. I'm not seeing any new green spaces - they've already scrapped the green corridor along the A40. In the Major's Plan he speaks of retaining green spaces and parks to give people much needed peace and tranquillity. And yet ours are systematically being reduced and turned into recreation grounds.  It's time to demand a park that is just that.  A park.

Jacqueline Cloake ● 2722d

I strongly agree with the last few comments. I’m really happy that the park is improving and eveh more importantly being used by more people and by a wider demographic. The park is enormous and commercial activity occupies a tiny space and pays for the whole rest of it. The football hub is in an area already devoted to sport and Go Ape’s contract involves renovating a couple of the dilapidated buildings. Why is this not a great thing?

Louis Bradshaw ● 2722d

Agree with Kim's comments, we should be thankful it's still there to enjoy.

Janice Evans ● 2722d

Not so long ago there was talk of selling off about a third of the park to developers to raise money to maintain the park. Sadly this is the reality. To remain open to the public our green spaces have to find the means to fund themselves. Not so long ago Gunnersbury was extremely run down. If the buildings had continued to deteriorate no doubt huge areas would have become too dangerous and been closed off. I'd rather see our parks developed for recreational activities that generate funds, than see them sold off to developers for yet more luxury flats. Many areas have lost their green spaces completely.

Kim Rugg ● 2722d

My concern is that local people will lose their park, football and cricket pitches and not be able to afford to use Go Ape or the new sports facilities.

Libby Kemp ● 2723d

Will there be adequate parking within the grounds as before.

Janice Evans ● 2723d

I think it's great that after years of falling into sad disuse and dereliction the park and its buildings is not only being restored but that its potential is being realised and it is being put on the map, people are aware of it, people will use it.  Coming out of Acton Town tube last night I was amazed to be greeted by the sight of dozens of young people dressed up for the Secret Cinema, and as I took the bus up to the high street the pubs around King Street were full of people meeting up.  I'd have thought that raising Acton's profile would be a good thing.

Adam Kimmel ● 2723d

I assume that there will a path either side. I don't think I would to walk actually under it. Someone might fall on me!

Susan Kelly ● 2723d

Thanks - I've just seen the article.To claim that you can walk underneath it is misleading I think. If you go to Black Park they discourage you from doing so. There's a survey to complete from the article on the front page.

Tania Bapuji ● 2723d

Go Ape will be near the old cricket pitch/tennis courts. There's a row of trees running from the tumbledown changing rooms/café shack towards the southern boundary.

Susan Kelly ● 2724d

I understand those living nearby would complain about Lovebox and Citadel, that would annoy me if I lived locally. But I don't understand the moaning about Secret Cinema. It's only on the old cricket pitch, you can easily walk around it and it's on in the evenings when the park is closed anyway. As for Go Ape. I can't think where it'll be in the park. Are there enough trees in one place? Does anybody know where they're thinking of putting it?

Tania Bapuji ● 2725d

If you want your say on GoApe, you have until 1st September to fill this in:https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GPGOAPE

Susan Kelly ● 2726d

Louise Bradshaw, I think you are confusing the skatepark in Acton Park with this thread on Gunnersbury Park. Myself, I object to so much of Gunnersbury Park being cut off due to Lovebox and Secret Cinema. Go Ape will likely be less intrusive, if the operation in Battersea Park is anything to go by.

Kim Bobsin ● 2727d

We don't know they will be white elephants. The Go Ape in Battersea Park is very popular. The Football Hub and Sports venue will be used by Thames Valley Uni. The pavements on the high street were redone about 5 years ago. The streets are not clean and not just the High Street and yes there should be more effort  here. I understand that Ealing are bringing the service back in house in order to improve it

Louis Bradshaw ● 2727d

You said at least it has not been converted into luxury flats, so maybe we should be very grateful and hope it stays that way, maybe raising funds in this way will help preserve it.

Janice Evans ● 2727d

It’s a disgrace they’re stuffing the park full of white-elephant money-spinning urban eyesores which will blight the landscape for generations, in an area which is already choked with traffic and has illegal levels of air pollution. It’s nice of them to flush all these urban projects down to Acton, and spend all the proceeds elsewhere. Looking at the filthy streets and Acton High Street they certainly aren’t investing any money in the area.

James Moore ● 2727d

What's truly amazing is that an increasing amount of space (skatepark included) is being given over to teenagers who have as much right to the use of the parks as anyone else, including young children and dog walkers. I love the fact that this park is being restored and sustainable solutions being found to continue the restoration of this amazing resource. Also, the council has to raise money somehow after having their government great decimated since 2007. People need to get real.....

Louis Bradshaw ● 2727d

Hopefully they will there is plenty of room there.

Janice Evans ● 2727d