Saturday, November 26, 2005
Temple Park village green
Council opposes Village Green for Temple Memorial Park
I have had some time to ponder over the news revealed by the Shields Gazette on Thursday that the Borough Council intends to formally object to the application to apply "village green" status to Temple Memorial Park.
I was one of the most vocal protestors about a year ago when plans were outlined to build a "super School" on the park, which was gifted to the people of South Shields by the Church Commissioner's to act as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the last war. At the time a covenant was included to ensure that the park be kept in perpetuity for leisure purposes, and many people were incensed and outraged that future developments would run counter to this principle.
After featuring the issue many times in this blog, and contacting many Councillors, helping with the protest at the Town Hall, and publicising our efforts with the help of the local media, that battle was eventually won when the Council reconsidered it's plans. It is now apparent that the Council sees problems for future generations if it is unable to further develop the land "for leisure purposes". One has to consider, for example, the current poor state of repair of Temple Park Leisure Centre, and the likelihood of it needing further work in the years to come.
The awarding of "village green" status may make the replacement of some current facilities, or improvement to current buildings almost impossible in the future, and for this reason I have to agree with the action being taken by the Council.
It is time now for Mr. Pattison and others to sit down with the Council and endeavour to come to a compromise agreement, maybe along the lines of setting up a charitable trust (with very strict conditions on how the Memorial Park may be developed) that will ensure the long term safety and security of Temple Memorial Park. Whilst we all wish to see an end to developments which are not in keeping with the sentiments of the original covenant, it would be irresponsible of us to completely blight the land for future generations who would wish to pursue leisure activities there.
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