Anger as council bids to sell off playing field

A row has broken out over plans to sell-off a swathe of community playing fields beside the Thames.

More than five acres of open recreation land in Barnes could be sold to a developer to build a private leisure centre.

Richmond council argues that selling off a quarter of the land, known as Barn Elms, is the only way it can afford to upgrade the rest of the run-down facility next to Barnes Wetlands Centre.

Residents say the land belongs to the community and should not be built on.

Campaign group Barnes' Vision held a public meeting last night to protest at the land sale.

Nicole Pound, 36, a mother-of-four who co-founded the group, said: "What happens in 10 years when the playing fields need refurbishment again? Will they have to sell off another chunk?

"There are 15 health clubs in a threeanda-half-mile radius. We don't need another."

The plans, which are at an early stage, have been "called in" for extra scrutiny by Richmond's Conservative opposition councillors.

If they are eventually approved, the council would invite four developers to submit schemes for the 5.5-acre site in the north-east corner of Barn Elms.

All are likely to propose bulldozing the dilapidated tennis courts and cricket pavilion, replacing the running track and building more football and rugby pitches.

A spokesman for Richmond council promised a new facility would be well-maintained.

He said: "We are the worst-funded council in London and there is huge demand on our limited resources. It's only down to very careful stewardship of the council's finances that our reserves are in a healthy position.

"By going for a partnership with a developer we can lever in some money that doesn't otherwise exist and provide a public sports facility."