Temple Park Protest

You will recall from my previous posts that I am in total opposition to the building of a new school (or any other development) on Temple Memorial Park because; I believe it would be an inappropriate use of the land, it would not be compatible with the covenants governing the future of the park, I am not convinced that this former brownfield infill site is environmentally safe, and there are more suitable sites for the proposed "super school".

As the Shields Gazette admirably reported the highly dangerous toxins emanating from Trow Quarry, I organised a series of e-mails to each and every Councillor in the Borough and highlighted the problem on the BBC website and on Look North and Tyne Tees Tonight. This type of exposure proved to be a bit of a surprise to the Council and the National Trust, and since then the NT has started to instigate further investigations at Trow Quarry, the Council has set up a special scrutiny committee and delayed a decision regarding siting a school at Temple Park.

In short, public pressure works!

We have to keep pressing the possible environmental dangers posed by the brownfield infill sites of the 1950's and 60's, if we have pollutant problems at one then there is sufficient reason to be concerned about the others! Remember, methane concentrations are already measured in Temple Park Leisure Centre, and we have already built one school and a fire station there. (I have one unsubstantiated source who claims that Northumbria Police Authority wishes to relocate it's armoury to Temple Park as well.)

The Council's best reason for wishing to build on Temple Park is the prospect of £112m grant aid from the Government for a school of "special sports status". I do not see any good reason why funding cannot be attained to build this school at one of the alternative sites i.e. Brinkburn, or Harton Welfare Ground as has been suggested recently.

Tomorrow, Stephen Pattison and Colin Campbell, two other Temple Park campaigners are organising a protest on the Town Hall steps, Westoe Road at 10.30 a.m., (The Council's Cabinet is meeting later in the day). I will be there, I wish to meet these people and see how we can co-ordinate our activities and possibly involve The Friends of the Earth also.

I appeal to anyone in this town who wishes to see Temple Memorial Park remain as a peaceful memorial to our kinsmen who gave their lives in defence of this country, to join in this protest and let the Council know that we do not want any more building on our green belt!

By the way, the pork in cider and apple sauce was delicious, Mrs. Curly would like me to cook it again next week