Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field is a cherished community asset that should remain open, green and accessible to all.

Whilst we support local sport and want people of all ages to be active, we believe SJHMPF is an inappropriate location for this development.

We call on Merton Council to halt its plans for an artificial grass pitch (AGP) in this park.

Loss of Public Green Space
Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field is one of the few publicly accessible green spaces in West Barnes. The proposed AGP would replace open parkland with a fenced sports facility for hire, reducing the space available for informal recreation and everyday enjoyment by the wider community.

Harm to the Character of the Park
SJHMPF is valued for its open character and sense of space. Regular users enjoy the long views across the playing fields and a feeling of openness that is increasingly rare in London. A fenced AGP would permanently alter the appearance of the park. One of the objectives in the latest Management Plan is to "Conserve the character, design, layout and relationship to surrounding environment of the playing field".

Harm to the Atmosphere of the Park
Sir Joe's is valued not only for organised sport, but also as a place to walk, relax and enjoy a quieter environment. The Management Plan itself notes that "Many people just visit the site to enjoy the peace and quiet and appreciate the landscaping." An AGP in intensive use throughout the week and into the evenings would bring substantially more organised activity and associated noise, changing the experience of using the park. Particular concerns have been raised about the impact on people with sensory sensitivities, including neurodiverse children who attend the nearby specialist SEND school and their families.

Traffic and Parking
The park has limited parking and public transport links. Residents already experience congestion and parking pressures during busy periods. An intensively used AGP would attract significantly more users throughout the week and into the evenings, increasing pressure on local roads and residential streets.

Microplastic Pollution
The park contains designated Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation, including one of Merton's Local Nature Reserves. Residents are concerned that rubber crumb and other plastic materials associated with the pitch could enter surrounding habitats and waterways, creating long-term environmental impacts.

We urge Merton Council to protect Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Playing Field as an open, green and publicly accessible space, and to find a more suitable location for any artificial grass pitch.