Merton Council are now running a consultation on their proposal to build an artificial grass pitch (AGP) at Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field (SJHMPF).

The Council have given very little notice, but please come along in person if you can and tell them what you think about the proposal:

Friday 4th September, 6pm–9pm
Saturday 5th September, 9am–1pm
SJHMPF Pavilion

If you cannot attend, please complete the online consultation survey here:

https://mertonsportsfacilities.commonplace.is/en-GB/

The online survey provides no obvious way to register your opposition to the proposal itself. It asks questions about how the proposed pitch might be used and what concerns you have about it, but does not ask whether you support or oppose constructing an AGP at SJHMPF. The Friends' survey earlier this year showed that local people and park users were opposed to the proposal, making it particularly important that the Council give people a clear opportunity to state their position on the proposal itself. We therefore suggest that, if you oppose the pitch, you make this clear wherever possible when completing the survey.

You may also wish to make your position clear by email to:

Ross Garrod, Leader of Merton Council
leaders.office@merton.gov.uk

Eleanor Stringer, Deputy Leader of Merton Council and Cabinet Member for Civic Pride and Climate Change
eleanor.stringer@merton.gov.uk

Caroline Cooper-Marbiah, Cabinet Member for Sport and Heritage
caroline.cooper-marbiah@merton.gov.uk

Before attending or completing the survey, we would like to draw attention to some issues raised by the consultation information which we think require further explanation:

The proposal takes more green space than just the pitch
The car park is proposed to increase from 35 to 62 spaces (an additional 27 spaces), as well as providing two coach spaces. The extension appears to take in the grass area next to the existing car park, which is currently a much-loved informal space for families with young children. The two coach spaces also raise questions about the scale of additional traffic the Council expect the facility to generate, and how coaches are expected to access and use the site. The Council should explain why this additional parking provision is necessary and what level of additional traffic they anticipate.

There is a significant change to the hours of activity in the park
The Management Plan says the park closes at dusk, whereas the proposed floodlit pitch would operate until 10pm. This would introduce regular late-evening floodlighting, noise and intensive sporting activity well beyond the park's current closing time. Although the consultation refers to measures to reduce the impact of lighting on wildlife, it gives little information about what impact the floodlighting is expected to have, or about the effect of the additional evening activity and noise on local residents.

The impact on existing uses needs clarification
Australian Rules football is currently played at the park in the summer, but the consultation does not explain how the proposed development would affect the existing pitch or whether the club have been consulted.

The proposed biodiversity net gain is not explained in sufficient detail
The consultation says the scheme will deliver more than the statutory 10% biodiversity net gain, including through “modification to areas of existing mown grass to replicate lowland meadows”. However, it does not say where these areas would be or how much land would be affected. If these areas are within the existing playing field, this could mean even more playing space is lost. The Council should explain exactly where this work is proposed and how much existing playing space would be affected.

The consultation does not explain how the artificial surface will be managed
The consultation does not explain what measures will be put in place to prevent rubber crumb and plastic fibres from being carried away from the pitch. This is particularly relevant given the proposed location of the pitch and the distance between it and the pavilion and car park, as material could be carried away on players' footwear and clothing. The Council should explain what measures they intend to use to prevent this, and how they will monitor and manage the issue over the lifetime of the pitch.

Please take the opportunity to tell the Council what you think.

If you oppose the proposal, please make that clear rather than assuming that simply completing the survey will register your opposition.