Updated 19/5/15 Bitterne Park Primary School's much debated proposal to fully enclose part of Riverside Park for school use, close the existing footpath behind the school and build a new one around the field, goes before planners on June 23.
The transfer of the land from public open space to use by children's services has already been approved by the council's cabinet, and at the meeting officers will recommend that this final piece of the planning jigsaw goes ahead.
Public meeting in December at Bitterne Park Primary School
The Friends of Riverside Park had hoped that the school would opt for one of various compromise options that had been put forward at community meetings and which the school had described as “a possibility”, involving gates that could make the existing footpath and grounds available outside school hours to the public.
Article continues after this message...
Under proposals before the Planning and Rights of Way Panel the path will be re-routed around the field at all times, and the playing fields will have “managed gated access with access to the community made available outside of school hours with details to be agreed through a Community Use Agreement.” *
A 2.1m height powder coated green mesh fence will delineate the boundary of the school's playing field.
*Update 19/6/15: The Primary School has clarified that "the green space will be free and open at all times during extended school holidays, without the need to book."
• Plans go before the Planning and Rights of Way Panel (East) at a public meeting on Tuesday, June, 23, 2015 at 6 pm in Conference Room 3 and 4 at the Civic Centre.
Full details of the proposal are here (PDF – 18 mb) from page 17.
Previously
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
Dec 14 Meeting hears new options for school's park plan
April 15 School puts in plans to enclose part of park