A group of local residents have formed a “Save Tilling Drive Recreation Park from Development” to focus efforts and attention on the sale of land by Stafford Borough Council
As reported in April (see original article) Stafford Borough Council have put up for sale approximately a third of the land on the Tilling Drive recreational park.
Along with the sale, the council pledged that money raised from the sale will be ring-fenced for leisure and play facilities in Stone. Those being improved pitch and changing facilities on the remainder of the Tilling Drive site as well as new facilities for Westbridge Park. Readers of A Little Bit of Stone have highlighted the irony in selling leisure and recreation facilities to fund the same thing elsewhere in the town.
What land are we talking about?
From the draft Stone Neighbourhood Plan:
The portion that the Borough Council have earmarked to sell is approximately a third of the site at the A34 end:
You can see details on the Stafford Borough Council website – https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/notice-intention-dispose-open-space-land-tilling-drive-stone
Who currently uses the land?
The current facilities are used by a variety of groups and individuals, from formal and informal football matches to dog walkers, people enjoying a walk or as a place for local children to play.
Why should we care?
At a time when obesity is high on the national and international agendas, it seems a somewhat short-sighted to be removing recreational space to instead replace it with housing, retail or fast food provision.
Concerns have also been raised about the plans outlined for the remainder of the site and whether it can fit a full-sized pitch and changing facility.
So what next?
Stafford Borough Council has now published their official notice in the newspaper to indicate their wish to dispose of the land, so the clock is ticking.
A dedicated Facebook group has been created by concerned residents to coordinate efforts in responding to the notice to dispose of the land. Head on over to Save Tilling Drive Recreation Park from Development Facebook group for details. The deadline for the responses is the midday on Friday 6th July 2018.
Neil Richardson from the Facebook group told A Little Bit of Stone:
It is my belief that the good people of Stone have had more than enough development in the area. Look at the new estates popping up all over the place. The new Jaguar Landrover car park for unwanted cars is a huge blot on the landscape and now we have the construction of HS2 on its way. People have simply had enough. The land in question may be small piece to SBC but to the people who regulary use it is an oasis of calm where they can escape for a few minutes or so and regain their thoughts. It is therefore good for peoples well being and mental health. The top part has never been built upon. Im advised that it was once a Spinney and as such is green belt. It is precious to all of us and I implore everyone in the town and surrounding areas to write a letter objecting to the sale. The current consultation goes on until midday on the 6th of July. The clock is ticking.
I have recently received a reply to an email from Mr Clegg at SBC. I am concenred with his choice of words and have asked him for clarification. As useual he has not replied so I use his words here”As you are aware The Council has advertised in The Staffordshire Newsletter its intention to sell a part of the above site” (Tilling Drive). This concerns me as we are curently in a consultaion period not a sale of the land. Has a secret decison been made? I’ll leave you to make your own mind up.
I firmly believe that the only reason we have this consultaion period is due to pressure bought about by the petition and letters collated recently. I thanks everyone for helping with that task.
We have new members joining our group on facebook and if anyone wants to join just log on and request access.
Stone Town Council have issued the following statement after we sent them a copy of the notice of intention to dispose of an open space:
Following discussion at the General Purposes Committee on 22nd May 2018, the Town Council wrote to Stafford Borough Council expressing their dissatisfaction at the proposed sale of part of Tilling Drive Playing Field, a dissatisfaction which is also clearly evident from the strong objections of the residents of that local area.
Councillor Andy Osgathorpe, Chairman of the Planning Committee and proposer of the motion at the General Purposes Committee said “The further reduction of Stone’s Green Infrastructure and designated Local Green Spaces is contrary to the Plan for Stafford Borough and undermines the status of designated Local Green Space in the draft Neighbourhood Plan.”
