Campaigners fight plan for football pitches on Leicester nature reserve
Campaigners have vowed to continue their fight against plans to turn a nature reserve into football pitches.
Leicester City Council wants to build an AstroTurf sports pitch complete with a clubhouse and parking on Aylestone Meadows, in Braunstone Lane East.
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From left, Richard Gornall, Nicola Ward, John Hayto, Anne Hayto, James Neachell and MP Sir Peter Soulsby in Aylestone Meadows, Braunstone Lane East.
The area is a haven for wildlife, including otters, badgers, herons, kingfishers, bats and grass snakes, which conservationists say will be killed off if the proposals are given the green light.
Council bosses say they are taking residents' concerns "very seriously".
Residents and environmental experts are now being backed by Leicester South MP Sir Peter Soulsby, who says other sites should be considered for the development.
He says: "Apart from the fact that this will absolutely devastate an incredibly valuable local nature reserve, it is also being opposed by local residents.
"The thing that concerns me is that this is totally unnecessary. There are many other sites the council could have considered.
"These plans are part of a package of football proposals for the city and it is actually very welcome to have that investment in sport – but they don't need this particular site."
He said the nearby Riverside Business and Enterprise College, which is likely to close because of falling pupil numbers, would be a prime location for the proposed development.
"But this is a city-wide project and there have to be other places all over the city that would be more suitable."
Protesters from the Aylestone Meadows Appreciation Society say the development would ruin the area.
Chairman Anne Hayto, who lives in Conaglen Road, said: "The council has not consulted with local people and park users. It would be appalling to throw it all away unnecessarily.
"It's not just the loss of one field – this will have knock-on effects for wildlife around the area."
Residents in the area say they have not been consulted.
Nicola Ward, who lives in Lindsay Road, Rowley Fields, says: "The only consultation was two years ago in a different council ward, and it wasn't just about this site, it was about all the sports facilities."
Richard Gornall, director of the University of Leicester's botanic garden, says the development would have a "devastating" impact on local wildlife.
He said: "Although where they are planning to develop is an edge piece, the edges are really important because they act as a buffer zone between the heart of the reserve and the outside world.
"If you take it away, you expose the area to all the pollution."
The proposals for the site have been developed with the county FA and Football Foundation.
A Leicester City Council spokesman said: "We take very seriously the concerns that have been put forward and we will be reviewing the planning application. Investment in sport is very important but we are keen to do this in a way that does not impact adversely on the community."
The Aylestone Meadows Appreciation Society is holding a meeting on Wednesday night at the Black Horse Pub, in Narrow Lane, Aylestone, at 7.30pm, for people interested in the protest.
8 Comments
by D Wilson, Leicester
Saturday, January 01 2011, 11:56AM
“Im not exactly sure where the proposed site is going to be situated, but if they built an all weather fooball complex in the area behind the carpark on Braunstone Lane East, then im all for it as it would be great for many children who love football and im sure it will contribute into getting youngsters out with somewhere useful to go to and help them to keep fit.”
by Emma. F, Leicester
Monday, February 01 2010, 11:35AM
“I too am a local resident to the Aylestone Meadows, it's the only wildlife reserve that is in leicester, if you build football pitches and clubs on it you will make a huge impact on the animals who have made their homes there and that feel safe, with building the 64 houses on the bankside it's going to distrupt the way of the water and the building work is going to push the water else where. I'm a youth in Leicester and I love going to Aylestone meadows because you can be one with nature and get away from all the noise in the city, I'm really lucky to have such a beautiful place right on my doorstep.”
by Julie S., aylestone
Wednesday, September 09 2009, 10:44AM
“i'm a local resident and support the installation of football pitches, whats the land being used for at the moment? yobs hanging around at night and of course i have heard the dogging rumours, have the local councilors been informed? whats their view? they seem to be missing from this story, or is it a peter soulsby (labour) veichle that doesnt want the local (conservative) councilors in the picture.”
by concerned local, Environmental City
Wednesday, September 09 2009, 8:39AM
“Derek - what do you mean no one is using the land? No one using it to make money you mean? This nature reserve is for everyone to use and enjoy. And more importantly to give wildlife a chance in the city (and some rare wildlife at that).
Mindbogglingly bad idea to build astroturf on such a beautiful place.”
by Derek Barton, Leicester
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 2:26PM
“I believe planning permission for this proposed football pitches should definately go ahead. No one is using the land firstly, and just think that the next world cup winning captain could be from Leicester! This will also have an effect on Leicester City's chances of becoming an even bigger club their youth development will greatly improve. YES WE DO WANT FOOTBALL PITCHES PLEASE!”
by Herbert Eppel, Aylestone Park
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 2:07PM
“The planning application number is 20090772, and the details are on the Leicester City Council website. The proposed development is totally inappropriate for an area the has received a European nature conservation award and was instrumental in getting Leicester the title of Environment City. The City Council is under pressure from virtually all sides regarding this proposal, and the sooner it is dropped the better.”
by John Stitch, Leicester Town
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 1:29PM
“It remains a mystery as to exactly where on Aylestone Meadows this development is taking place. This has not been mentioned in any Mercury stories on the subject ( including this one ), there's nothing available on the Council's website or on the Society's website last time I looked. Yes, I did contact them, but got no response.
Could I suggest that more people might get sufficiently animated and support what the Aylestone Meadows Appreciation Society is trying to do ( myself included ! ) if they made it clearer about just what it is that they're objecting to and didn't just assume that everyone already knew what they were discussing in their little meetings ?”
by Thompson, Leicester
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 11:52AM
“Ah the enviormental city again also Leicester has been many other citys all in name only as soon as it suits the council to earn money the title is dumped”