Barnet Council Playing fields consultation - closes 27th February

Barnet Council is currently consulting residents on its playing field strategy. Anyone who gives a stuff  about the future of our Borough, the health and fitness of our young people and green spaces really should read this and make a submission. Please forward these details to anyone who you think may be concerned.

Having read the document, I must say that this is a definite good starting point. I was quite upset to see that the Burnt Oak Lesiure centre football pitch has degenerated to be a "poor" site. There is also no mention of Cressingham Park in Burnt Oak, home of Watling youth FC.

Another criticism of the document is that every pitch should be listed and classified, perhaps in an appendices, with a full status, in the form of a table. I worry that  unlisted sites will be designated "not a playing field".  There is also a lack of detail. Each site should have its facilities (ie chaning rooms and showers) listed and classified. I am not sure whether these ommissions are worrying or not. but the council must do this important exercise properly.

It is interesting that there is no mention of school tennis courts. Do they still have tennis courts? I note there is no mention of other more minority sports, such as Lacrosse, American Football, Archery, Athletics, etc. I think we need a holistic approach to these.

The document does not list what consultation and input has been received from clubs to develop this document.

So in summary, I'd say this is a decent starting point, but we need a far more comprehensive document that encompasses all sporting users of all sporting fields in Barnet.

I've attached the document below.

Barnet Council Playing field consultation by Roger Tichborne on Scribd

The council say on their webpage.

Overview

Barnet Council recognises the need for good quality sports pitches and it has listed them as an important factor in its Parks and Open Spaces and Fit and Active Barnet Strategies. Barnet is the fastest growing borough in London and it is necessary to make sure that an adequate number of pitches are provided in the future.
Working in partnership with Sport England and the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport (England & Wales Cricket Board, England Hockey Board, Football Association, Lawn Tennis Association & Rugby Football Union), the council is developing a Playing Pitch Strategy which will also address the needs of Gaelic football in the area.
The Playing Pitch Strategy will provide a strong future action plan for Barnet’s provision of sports pitches.  This information will be used to inform the borough’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan, which looks at current provisions and identifies existing and future needs. It will also underpin the Local Plan making sure, amongst other things, planning considers the provision of sports pitches.
Whilst developing the strategy, current facilities and future needs were identified and local sports clubs, leagues and pitch providers were consulted.  Now that a draft Playing Pitch Strategy has been written, we would like you to give us your views on the specific recommendations.

Why We Are Consulting

The consultation is open to all Barnet residents, businesses and community and interest groups, together with sports clubs and individuals who play sport on pitches in the borough.

We want to find out what you think about the sport, area and site specific recommendations contained in the draft Playing Pitch Strategy.

Give Us Your Views

Please take the time to read the recommendations in the Strategy and then give us your views by completing our online questionnaire.

For any further information, or to request a questionnaire in an alternative format, please contact Ruth Miller, Project Manager, by:

• telephoning:  020 8359 4642, or

• emailing: Ruth.Miller@barnet.gov.uk, or

• writing to: Barnet Council, Barnet House,1255 High Road, Whetstone, London, N20 0EJ.