Public meeting of campaign group
A new pressure group is launching its public campaign next week urging everyone to vote against plans to sell off parts of Gunnersbury park.
Save Trees In Gunnersbury (STIG) supports the idea of restoring the listed buildings but is primarily committed to preserving the green spaces of the park.
STIG wants the councils to widen the scope of the study to allow funding from other budgets, and consult more frankly explaining the full impact of each option both on the environment and the local community.
The campaign is kicking off on Monday 21st September with a public meeting to organise leafleting, canvassing and lobbying councillors to vote NO to selling off part of the park for a housing development.
The meeting in South Ealing will be held at St. Mary’s Church Hall, St.Mary’s Road, W5 5RH at 7.30pm.
Lucy Collins, Vice President of the newly formed lobby group, said: “when all the people who oppose this vandalism tell their councillors not to agree to cutting down 5 and a half acres of woodland in our lovely park, we will be sure of victory!”
Ealing and Hounslow councils commissioned Jura Consultants to come up with ways to redevelop Gunnersbury Park.
STIG outline their concerns saying,
The “Gunnersbury Park Options Appraisal Report and Consultation” proposes to fund redevelopment by bulldozing more than 5 acres of woodland to build housing.
In detail, the development would;
· Destroy over 400 mature deciduous trees and woodland; a valuable lung next to the M4;
· Sell the land to build 96 houses and another block of flats, more than double the density of housing in the rest of the area;
· Close 3 gates to the park, reducing access to local residents;
· Kill the “pitch & putt” area, a much loved amenity considered “detrimental” by planners;
· Build an undefined “sports hub” and offices on green land next to the lake, requiring extra car parking which is not even shown in the plans
The Jura Consultants' report is can be viewed at www.hounslow.gov.uk/gunnersbury and the proposals are also on display at the Gunnersbury Park Museum.
Residents can also express their view by contacting Richard Gill, the Gunnersbury Park Development and Regeneration Manager, Gunnersbury Park Museum, London W3 8LQ and their local councillors.
STIG CONTACTS
Contact: Giusi, Lucy or Martin on 07719 387 106
email: stig2009contact@googlemail.com
Join: GoogleGroups / Facebook “STIG – Save Trees In Gunnersbury”
View: http://www.stiglondon.co.uk
September 18, 2009
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