Scouts face loss of field

8:38am Wednesday 4th April 2007

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TWO Scout groups could lose the ability to host their major annual fundraising event if plans to develop a playing field are given the green light by Harrow Council.

Local residents have reacted angrily to the planned development of 50 houses and apartments on a field that is owned by St George's Church, Pinner View, Harrow, and is used by both Ist and 4th Headstone Scout groups to host their annual summer fete.

Marian Garner-Patel, a retired pharmacist, of Kingsfield Avenue, Harrow, said: "Why are we treating our young people so badly, at present the major fundraising event of the Scouts is the summer fete and if the field goes then they won't have that."

The Scouts currently have their own headquarters with ample space at the church but if the plans go ahead then they will be forced to use a new community hall and their HQ will be demolished.

Jack Tunmore, honorary member of 1st Headstone Scout group said: "There's nothing going to replace the amount of space that we have now and where will we put all our equipment."

1st Headstone are one year away from the end of their 14-year lease which they have agreed with the church and Sandra Lee Palmer, of Pinner View, explained there was "no guarantee that the Scouts will have access five nights a week".

The church has commissioned CPP Architects to draw up plans which will include half an acre of open space in the middle of the development and a new community hall, as well 50 new homes.

But Mrs Garner-Patel said: "There will be a road going all around the field so it will be dangerous."

Cllr Bill Stephenson, deputy leader of Harrow Council's Labour group, said he was totally opposed to the plans at the St George's playing field and explained that the local community wanted to help the church raise the money to pay for £500,000 worth of repairs to the Grade II listed church hall and the £150,000 outstanding bill for repairs already done to the church that was designed by renowned ecclesiastical architect John Samuel Alder.

But Rev Stephen Keeble, of St George's Church, admitted there were two objections to the plans already. The Environment Agency opposed on the grounds of flood risk and Sport England has also objected to the plans.

Rev Keeble said: "The open space will be plenty big enough for the fete and the new scout hut will face out onto the space."

He also explained that if the plans do not get approval then the field would be sold to private developers and that the plans make best use of unused, private land, to provide benefits for the local community, to create an attractive residential area and to ensure the future of the church's valuable facilities and activities.

A decision will be made to grant outline planning permission at the strategic planning committeee meeting at Harrow Civic Centre on April 18 at 6.30pm.