Bitterne Park Primary School put forward a compromise proposal designed to take on board community concerns at another well attended public meeting on Wednesday (Dec 3), called to discuss the school’s future use of part of Riverside Park.
The debate is over Bitterne Park Primary’s use of the field at the back of the school, said to make up about 4% of Riverside Park, and the existing public footpath that divides the park and school boundary.
It was reiterated that uncontrolled public access places considerable restraint on the school’s use of the field due to various safety problems including dog mess, littering and anti-social behaviour.
But the desire of the school to work with the community to find a way forward was emphasised.
Addressing concerns about whether the field could one day be built upon or be transferred out of the council’s control if plans go ahead, it was revealed that for legal reasons the school can’t, in fact, take out a lease. Instead it would hope to enter into a ‘community use agreement’ with the council.
‘We’ve got no desire to see that land built on’
Vice chair of governors Neil Manners, right, assured the meeting that there is “no hidden agenda” to build, and that if the school ever became an academy – meaning it would no longer be under the control of the local authority but could ‘inherit’ the school’s buildings and grounds – the field wouldn’t be included.
“We’ve got no desire to see that land built on. We want it for green space for the kids because we love it as green space,” he said – also stressing there are currently no plans for the school to become an academy.
New options
The school presented what it saw as the current options for its use of the field.
One was close to the original idea – calling for the full-time diversion of the footpath to a new one around the field, and the field’s exclusive use by the school – although it could still be booked out of hours for use by groups.
Another, compromise, option, developed after talks with community groups, was also put to the meeting: this would involve the school’s exclusive use only during the school day, with the existing footpath closed only during that time – or only when actually in use under another ‘sub-option’. Pedestrians would need to use a new path around the perimeter, or an alternative route. At other times anyone could use the field, therefore with the school still having to monitor and clean it up before its next day’s use.
Compromise
“That [option] is a possibility. That is the compromise that we tried to come up with, and it’s on the table,” said Mr Manners.
Article continues after this message...
The school’s bottom line, he said, was creating a safe, secure space for children during the day from 9am – 4.15pm when school clubs finish.
“If we can’t get that, we’re in no better situation than we are now,” he said.
For the Friends of Riverside Park, chair Doug Perry, left, re-emphasised that the group supported the school in fencing off the area, but said it is public land donated in 1894, so should be open outside of school hours. He said the path had been the only sticking point at meetings to date, and that as well as children’s needs, he had to think about the elderly and disabled who would need to go further to get round the field.
Building bridges
Malcolm Pain from Bitterne Park Residents’ Association wondered why a bridge over the path, which he said came up in previous talks, was not now one of the options. The answer from the school was that they thought it would need to be too big and therefore would swallow too much land on the field side, it would create yet more safety concerns for children crossing, and could be an eyesore. Nonetheless they said they would still be willing to consider it.
Vote
The school said it wanted to gather many views so it could make an informed decision about how to move forward, and then put in planning applications – one for the fence, and another for the change in right of way on the existing path. The school had even set up an informal ballot on the evening, so those attending the meeting could vote on various options for future access to the footpath and field, and give other feedback.
“I would like to stress this is in no way a legally binding vote, but it will help inform our decision on the proposal at hand. We are simply using this as a straw poll of opinion,” said chair of governors Howard Whitehead.
Links
2007 Article on bitternepark.info 'Schools consult over parks plan'
2014 Article outlining idea, including links to download Bitterne Park Primary School’s letter to residents and draft plan, and comments
2014 FORP calls public meeting over park plan
Oct 14 Park plan: Meeting seeks common ground