| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:North Acton Playing Fields Planning Application | |
| Posted by: | Libby Kemp | |
| Date/Time: | 19/02/19 12:59:00 |
| From the applicant's Design & Access Statement: PRE-APPLICATION DISCUSSIONS 5.1 In June 2018 an informal pre-application meeting was held with the Council’s Parks and Planning Departments to discuss the new floodlit playing pitches and associated changing pavilion and kiosk. Both departments were supportive of the proposals subject to neighbouring residential amenity issues being suitably addressed. The Council also encouraged a public consultation exercise prior to the submission of the application. 6.0 PUBLIC CONSULTATION 6.1 A public consultation event was held at Park Lodge on Wednesday 18 July 2018 between 5:30pm and 7:30pm to allow residents the opportunity to comment on the proposals. The exhibition was advertised by way of a site notice erected at the entrance points into the Park displayed one week prior to the meeting. 6.2 Approximately 15 people attended the exhibition including the local Resident’s Association. 9 people recorded their comments on the comment form made available at the meeting while others were given the opportunity to take the forms away and complete, but none were received following the exhibition. The key comments made during the exhibition were: Planning, Design & Access Statement - North Acton Playing Fields, Noel Road, Acton, W3 0JF 6 Existing Use • Despite this being a public park, the tennis courts are not often available for use by members of the public; • Residents complained that when they do try and book via the telephone number or website they either can’t get through or are told the courts are not available; • When a resident spoke to the Council they were informed that at least one tennis court should always be available for public use as this is part of the lease; • 2 tennis courts have already been lost to football so it’s imperative that at least one be made available for public use, particularly in school holidays and on weekends; • The availability of the courts should be clearly stated on the website and on the advertisements around the site as its unclear if they are publicly available or not; • The existing signage is mostly in Japanese, making other residents feel isolated; • There is a lack of toilets in the park and ideally the toilets in the Lodge should be made publicly accessible; • The current operation feels like a private tennis club where residents are excluded; • At present, as soon as the tennis operator leaves, the courts are left empty and locked up, so residents are unable to use them. Applicant’s Response to These Comments - The courts are available for hire on a pay and play basis unless they are being used for scheduled coaching and can be booked on-line or via the telephone number advertised on the notice boards at the site; - Nevertheless, the tennis club operator will be contacted to make sure the on-line booking system is working and that the courts are always made available for public use when not being used for coaching; - It was agreed that any new signage and the content on the website would all be in English and Japanese as they are an inclusive club and welcome all members of the community with over 23 languages spoken by members of the existing Football Club, reflecting this diversity. |