Public fight goes on to halt field development (From Echo)

Public fight goes on to halt field development

10:00am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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RESIDENTS turned out in force to protest against houses being built on much-loved playing fields in Laindon.

The second of a series of public meetings over Basildon Council’s plans to sell off playing fields across the district to housing developers, was held at James Hornsby High School, in Leinster Road, Laindon, last night.

The meeting concentrated on plans to build 23 new homes on about 60 per cent of the Pound Lane playing fields, in Laindon.

Angry residents left Tory council leaders in no doubt over their oppostion to the proposals, which are being pushed through to help pay for the new swimming pool and sporting village in Gloucester Park, Basildon.

Michael Marchant, 64, of Pound Lane, said: “The decision to sell the land appears to have been taken long ago behind closed doors, which is not very democratic.

“We have a growing population and local people, particularly the children, need playing fields.

“You don’t have to pay to play football or cricket on them, but we will have to pay to use the sporting village.

“At the moment mums can send their children off to play on the fields while they cook dinner, safe in the knowledge they are out of harm’s way. That would all change.”

Terry Adams, 73, of Elverston Close, Laindon, added: “If this goes ahead, there will be houses built on 60 per cent of our playing fields at Pound Lane.

“More than 900 people have already signed a petition opposing the sale of the Laindon site.

“The council is basically saying it is a done deal, but we are going to fight them all the way.”

There were about 100 people at the meeting.

Deputy leader Stephen Horgan was heckled from the outset by angry residents complaining the Tory council leaders had already made their decision.

One resident shouted: “Why don’t you sell some land in Billericay instead?”

Dawn Kelly, 43, of Kathleen Ferrier Crescent, said: “I use the park every day and when I go down there I often see 50 kids, loads of teenagers playing football. It’s very well used. If you take away the playing field they will have nothing to do and antisocial behaviour will become ten times worse.”

A further public meeting on the sale of land at Kent View Road, Vange, will be held at Basildon Lower Academy, in Timberlog Close, tomorrow.

A full council meeting will be held at the Towngate Theatre in St Martin’s Square, Basildon, on Thursday, September 16.