Local residents have recently been informed that Barkingside's oldest Sports Ground, Stratford Newtown Wesleyan Sports Ground, is currently being considered as a housing development site to build and squeeze in over 110 high rise affordable flats and houses on a modest 1.9 hectares of land.  This green field site is located adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Park II, Barkingside and to the rear of some 50 gardens on Woodville Gardens, Brandville Gardens and Greenleafe Drive.

The purpose of this petition is stop the destruction of:

(1) Barkingside's oldest recreational sports ground - Stratford Newtown Wesleyan Sports Ground (also known as "land at the rear of Woodville Gardens") and request that it is brought back to its former glory in line with its existing use, a sports ground, for the much needed health and well-being of our fast growing local community.  

(2) Natural Wildlife - This land is already categorised as Enhanced Open Space by Redbridge Councils' Local Plan and its natural wildlife inhabitants include rabbits, bats, hedgehogs and rare birds. This land is also home to many established trees that are over 200 years old and protected by TPOs.

(3) Biodiversity - Loss of biodiversity poses a significant threat to our planet’s ecological balance. Each species plays a unique role in the ecosystem, and the disappearance of one can have cascading effects on others. The sports ground is a green field site and its protection is vital to ensure the preservation of various plant and animal species, promoting genetic diversity and maintaining ecosystem resilience in the face of environmental changes.

(4) Suburban streets - congestion and traffic will significantly increase on surrounding roads including Beatyville Gardens, Haigville Gardens and Cranbrook Road to accommodate the heavy duty building lorries and trucks.  An increase of residents will also impact availability of local street parking considerably.

Stratford Newtown Wesleyan Sports Ground is a relatively small area that can undoubtedly be utilised much more effectively for the benefit of local residents' health and well-being particularly with the new increase in residents in mind, from the large scale housing developments that are already under construction in the local vicinity such as Little Gearies and the Builder's Yard some 3-4 minutes walking distance from the sports ground.

Please help save this invaluable green open space within our local community; sign our petition and get our voices heard.      

Please follow us on X and donate what you can on our GoFundMe page:

https://x.com/villeleafera/status/1801389647823781896?s=46

https://gofund.me/67c00b4b