Neighbours have branded plans to build on part of their last remaining greenspace a 'public outrage'. A project that could see a portion of Goodwood Field, in Sale West, concreted over for a new community hub has sparked strong opposition from those living around it. They fear the impact the 'very large' building could have on their community, branding it 'the wrong thing, in the wrong place at the wrong time'.
The field currently hosts football matches and park runs. Beyond the loss of part of a much-loved space, residents and campaign group Save Goodwood Field are concerned over the impact on the roads, disturbance to nearby homes and the knock-on effects on their existing community centre.
Pre-planning stages and petition
The scheme, being worked on by religious charity the Three Meem Foundation, is still in the pre-planning stages, but local people expect the new building would stretch from the car park on the Firs Way edge of the field to halfway across the closest football pitch. A petition against it is nearing 3,000 signatures, campaigners say.
Resident Brendan Craven, 63, said: "I've lived in this area all my life. I started on the council estate just across the field. I watched all this estate being built next to me. I still live in the area. I've played on these football fields all my life. I've played football here for 30 years. I've watched my children play on these fields. To lose this space would be a massive shame, you can just go on here any time of day, just have a walk."
"They wouldn't be able to play because the pitches have to be turned around, the balls would be getting kicked onto a main road, that's not safe. Everything about it is just a shame, it really is [and] it's not for the community."
Another resident, Mike Chidgey, 74, added: "I see so many people using this field, it's the only bit of green space that hasn't been built on and it is in constant use. It's just wrong. The size of this development, from the artist's impression that we've seen, is absolutely massive. It's the wrong thing in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Campaigners' concerns
The campaign group is keen to stress they are not opposed to the plan because of the religious element, but because they do not want to see anything built on their greenspace. They also have concerns that the project will not really be for the whole community.
The Three Meem Foundation website describes the project, called LifeHub, as a 'community building' which 'may' include space for sport, education, health and wellbeing activities and community groups. They say they are bringing forward the plan in response to residents highlighting a 'shortage of affordable and accessible spaces for sport, youth activities, learning, and community use'.
'No final decisions' have been made on the mix of activities but the hub is 'intended for local people of all ages and backgrounds', the website adds. Residents are concerned by the use of 'may' for these offerings in contrast to sections of the website that add religious uses 'would' be included.
Foundation's response
Dr Tariq Razzaq, from the Three Meem Foundation, said his organisation 'understands' that the playing field 'matters to people who live around it'. He added the project is 'about adding to what is already there'.
Dr Razzaq said: "The proposals keep two full-size adult football pitches on the site, provide new changing facilities, and introduce substantial indoor sport, health, education and community facilities that are not currently available locally. It is a charitable project, funded through donations and philanthropy, and it will be open to everyone regardless of faith or background.
"Second, this will be decided by an independent process, not by us. Trafford council will determine the application in its role as local planning authority, against its own development plan and following full statutory consultation. We have commissioned independent transport, drainage, ecology, arboriculture, acoustic and landscape assessments, and all of them will be published in full alongside the application. Residents will be able to test what we say against the evidence rather than take our word for it.
"Third, formal public consultation has not yet taken place. We will be holding public events in the coming months, before any application is submitted, where the full plans will be on display and people can talk to the design team directly. We would genuinely welcome the Save Goodwood Field group there, and I would be glad to meet the group before then."
'Nothing should be built on this site'
Trafford council agreed in principle last year that it would lease out part of the playing fields to Three Meem on a 25-year-lease. Residents have disputed the need for the LifeHub, however, saying they already have the Sale West Community Centre a short distance away. The centre hosts the amateur boxing club which once boasted Ricky Hatton among its members.
The campaign group said it is concerned that the centre will be forced to close if the LifeHub draws away members and questioned why the money going into the project cannot be invested in the existing facilities instead.
Mike Goodier, 63, chair of Save Goodwood Field, said: "Nothing should be built on this site. It's not a site to build on. It's the last green space in the area. It's massively used and it's massively popular with the local population. It is a public outrage."
Around 39pc of children at nearby schools are classed as coming from a deprived home, campaigners said. Vice chair Lynette Lawson, 47, added: "Lots of children that live in homes that don't have gardens and this is their only safe access to green space. But, the council wants to lease the land for the minimum of 25 years. If you do lease the land, it would be gone forever. It's not something that can be taken down in the future once it's been developed. That's it, we've lost it. So, it's not just about our current generation of children and older people that use it and all the other local community members that we see walking the dogs, playing the games, riding the bikes in a safe area. It's a loss for our future generations as well and that's why we need to protect it."
Residents further fear that safety concerns would result from the new building, saying the roads 'just can't cope as it is', with parking the 'biggest problem'.
Political opposition and council stance
The local Conservative group has been working with the campaign group to oppose the plan. Ward councillor Rob Duncan said: "Goodwood Field is a much-loved green space and I cannot support development on it. Unfortunately, Trafford council's executive has agreed in principle to dispose of part of the land for potential development. I believe this is the wrong direction. The area is already congested, particularly around school drop-off and collection times, and we already have a community centre that should be supported. Goodwood Field should be protected. I hope this never reaches planning, but if it does, I will work alongside residents and colleagues to oppose it."
A spokesman for Trafford Council said: "The principle of granting a lease for part of the Goodwood Field site was approved by our Executive in December. However, any development proposal for the site remains subject to the planning process. The issues raised by residents, including the impact on open space, sports provision, trees, traffic and parking, neighbouring amenity and community facilities, are matters that would need to be fully considered and addressed as part of that planning application process. Should a planning application be submitted by Three Meem, it will be subject to the Council's normal planning procedures. That includes consultation with residents and other interested parties. The planning process will assess the proposals in detail and determine whether the development is acceptable having regard to all relevant planning considerations."
