Lib Dems Get Early Agreement To Protect Users Of Southfield Rec

In advance of the planned major sports facility for young people

The current facilities at Southfield Park

Southfield Liberal Democrats say they have secured an early agreement to protect current users of Southfield Recreation Ground where a major youth sports hub is planned.

The W4 youth group is the preferred bidder for the £3million scheme which would see a sports and community hub built on the grounds.

At the Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Liberal Democrat Councillor Andrew Steed gained a number of agreements from Ealing Council which will protect the current users of Southfield Rec's football pitches and tennis courts, if the sport hub for teenagers goes ahead.

The agreement covered a number of aspects including:

• Current users of the football pitches and tennis courts would be able to have access to hire pitches and courts if a sports hub was open in the future.
• Pricing for current users of the football pitches and tennis courts will not be increased any more than the average pricing change across Ealing borough.
• Local residents, Councillors and The Southfield Park Triangle Residents’ Association (SPTRA) will be consulted about a sports hub if one is proposed in the future.

Read the full text of the agreement at the end of this article.

Councillor Andrew Steed said: “The Liberal Democrats have been proactive and secured an early agreement to protect the price and use for current users of the popular tennis courts and football pitches, in case the Council opens a sports hub on Southfield Recreational Grounds, and tries to increase the price by a large amount or stop any of the current users from using the football pitches or tennis courts.”

The new facility will be built on the site of the existing changing rooms at the western end of the park and could include a club house, youth club and cafe.

The W4 Youth Group for 11-19 year olds was founded by Chiswick resident Sally Chacatte following the shooting of her teenage son some years ago, as a way to give young people a place to keep busy with hobbies and away from crime. Set up in 2009, it now has over 300 young people involved in its activities.

Ealing Council’s cabinet has agreed the granting of a 99-year lease to W4 Youth to develop the space.

The W4 Youth group must now launch a funding campaign to transform the current space around the dilapidated pavilion into a community and sports hub for use by local people. It also involves the refurbishment of changing facilities and toilets and a new cafe is also in the pipeline.

Ant and Dec opened the youth group new premises in 2013

The full text of the agreement is:

1. That the current users of the football pitches and tennis courts on Southfield Recreation Grounds will have the same booking rights, if a sports hub is built on Southfield Rec Grounds, and before a sports hub is opened all parties including existing user groups, W4 Youth and the Council shall discuss what their likely hiring requirements are.

2. That W4 Youth have to use the Council’s booking system so everyone uses the same booking system.

3. That the pricing which current users of both the football pitches and tennis courts on Southfield Recreation Grounds pay, will not be increased any more than the average pricing change across Ealing borough if a sports hub is created on Southfield Recreation Grounds.

4. When a planning application is made for a sports hub on Southfield Rec Grounds that the following takes place:
• Briefing with Southfield ward Councillors.
• The Southfield Park Triangle Residents’ Association (SPTRA) will be contacted about the proposals to ask for their views.
• The Council in conjunction with Southfield Ward Councillors will agree which residents will be informed about the proposals for a sports hub on Southfield Recreation Grounds so that residents can be contacted about the proposals.
• Relevant officers be present for a Southfield Ward Forum so the proposals can be discussed.

August 3, 2018