Protect Southwater's Leisure Centre Open Space
Protect Southwater's Leisure Centre Open Space
The Issue
Every day, residents of Southwater and I enjoy the Leisure Centre Open Space, the heart of our village. For many of us, it serves as our de-facto village green, a cherished environment where families gather, children play, and friendships blossom. Unfortunately, this vital community space is in peril, as we have seen by attempts to development the site as a 3G pitch.
To preserve this beloved area, it's crucial to amend Southwater Parish Council's neighbourhood plan. The definition of the Leisure Centre Open Space must change from "Formal/Informal Sports" to simply "Open Space." This reclassification is essential to reflect its true usage – a place where community members partake in various activities beyond structured sports.
Parish Councillors acting on behalf of the Ghyll CIO have shown no concern for Southwater's residents and their lack of green space. The definition of Formal/Informal in the Neighbourhood Plan offers it zero protection against future development, and was used as an attempt to justify the 3G pitch planning application. Thankfully, Horsham District Council saw through this and rejected it based on the space being public, open space, free for everybody to use.
Evidence of the space’s importance is clear. With hundreds of residents, young and old, frequenting it daily, the space fosters community togetherness and serves as a natural and essential habitat. classified as open space in the Neighbourhood Plan, it would be protected, ensuring its continued availability for everyone.
Given our community’s reliance on this area, the proposed changes in the neighbourhood plan promote inclusivity and preserve local heritage. In 2021, The Fields in Trust report highlighted that access to local parks and green spaces has never been more critical to our mental and physical well-being, especially amid ongoing urban development.
The time for action is now. Help save our treasured Leisure Centre Open Space by urging Southwater Parish Council to amend their Neighbourhood Plan.
Sign this petition to ensure the legacy of our "de-facto village green" lives on for generations to come.
1
The Issue
Every day, residents of Southwater and I enjoy the Leisure Centre Open Space, the heart of our village. For many of us, it serves as our de-facto village green, a cherished environment where families gather, children play, and friendships blossom. Unfortunately, this vital community space is in peril, as we have seen by attempts to development the site as a 3G pitch.
To preserve this beloved area, it's crucial to amend Southwater Parish Council's neighbourhood plan. The definition of the Leisure Centre Open Space must change from "Formal/Informal Sports" to simply "Open Space." This reclassification is essential to reflect its true usage – a place where community members partake in various activities beyond structured sports.
Parish Councillors acting on behalf of the Ghyll CIO have shown no concern for Southwater's residents and their lack of green space. The definition of Formal/Informal in the Neighbourhood Plan offers it zero protection against future development, and was used as an attempt to justify the 3G pitch planning application. Thankfully, Horsham District Council saw through this and rejected it based on the space being public, open space, free for everybody to use.
Evidence of the space’s importance is clear. With hundreds of residents, young and old, frequenting it daily, the space fosters community togetherness and serves as a natural and essential habitat. classified as open space in the Neighbourhood Plan, it would be protected, ensuring its continued availability for everyone.
Given our community’s reliance on this area, the proposed changes in the neighbourhood plan promote inclusivity and preserve local heritage. In 2021, The Fields in Trust report highlighted that access to local parks and green spaces has never been more critical to our mental and physical well-being, especially amid ongoing urban development.
The time for action is now. Help save our treasured Leisure Centre Open Space by urging Southwater Parish Council to amend their Neighbourhood Plan.
Sign this petition to ensure the legacy of our "de-facto village green" lives on for generations to come.
1
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Petition created on 3 July 2025