Gang fear over gym park

nlnews@archant.co.uk
05 November 2009

AN ADIZONE in the shape of the Olympics 2012 logo in Tower Hamlets – similar to the one planned for Hornsey

CRITICS fear an outdoor gym planned to be built on a popular picnic site will be overrun by gangs that already "terrorise" a nearby estate.

Haringey Council is seeking permission from its own planning department to build an "adiZone", a sports area in the shape of the Olympics 2012 logo, in Newlands Playing Field, Alexandra Park.

But worried residents on Hornsey's Campsbourne Estate, and some members of Alexandra Palace's Advisory Committee, fear it will attract yobs.

AdiZones are described as "London 2012 legacy multi-use sports areas" and they have already been built in four Olympics-host boroughs.

A planning application was lodged by the council in September after it won government cash to pay for the scheme.

Alwyn McLennan, of Campsfield Road, said in a letter to the planning department: "The proposal will be another gathering place for gangs and troublemakers who already terrorise the area.

"It will exacerbate the violence already prevalent and become a no-go area for people who like to use the park to play with their children and walk their dogs."

Planning papers say the Newlands Playing Field zone will bring vital exercise facilities to the Campsbourne Estate opposite the site, which has "pockets of high deprivation".

A basketball and football area, climbing and tennis walls, a dance and gymnastics area and an 18-station outdoor gym could be installed in the trademark Olympics colours.

But David Liebeck, chairman of Alexandra Palace's Advisory Committee, said on Tuesday night: "The worst thing to happen is it's built, not used and becomes an abandoned and vandalised area."

As the creation of adiZones are overseen by Olympics sponsor Adidas, Councillor Matt Davies, representing residents from Fortis Green on the advisory committee, said he feared advertising may also be plastered over the facilities.

He said: "It seems to me that Adidas are getting a pretty good deal having permanent free advertising for 15-20 years."

Other critics blasted the loss of 548 square metres of grassland, saying the gym was "plonked" in the centre of a popular picnic spot.

Billy Gall Gray, of North View Road, said in a letter to Haringey Council: "I feel strongly that this proposal in a so-called council conservation area will be a blight on the landscape, and for residents of the immediate area, bringing with it a potential for noise, crime and anti-social activities."

To make up for the loss of green space, the council plans to build a community garden on 600 square metres of concrete in the Campsbourne Estate.

A council spokeswoman said: "This £150,000 facility is being introduced after residents voiced concern at the lack of such facilities locally.

"Far from encouraging anti-social behaviour, the evidence from the areas which have already installed the adiZone is that it is a fantastic deterrent and can be used to provide supervised activities during holidays and at weekends.

"Planning officers have already consulted with around 100 households, the Conservation Area Advisory Committee, the Alexandra Park Residents Association, ward councillors and Campsbourne School.