Issue - meetings

To receive the report of the Park Manager, Alexandra Palace, detailing proposals for an Adizone outdoor Gym. Officers from the London Borough of Haringey Parks Service will present the proposals to the Committee.

The Committee received a presentation by Martin Hall (LB Haringey - Recreation Service - Open Space Performance & Programming Officer) on proposals for an AdiZone outdoor gym facility to be installed on  the Newlands Road playing field, in the south eastern corner of Alexandra Park, 45 metres from the edge of the Park and  abutting Newlands Road.  Mr Hall was joined by Beverley Huie (LB Haringey Interim Neighbourhood Manager Crouch End Hornsey & Stroud Green) to answer questions raised by the Committee.

The AdiZones were multi-sports facilities, with 15-20 year life-spans, created in the shape of the Olympic logo by Adidas as part of its sponsorship of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games.  Schools would be encouraged to use the equipment as would play-schemes during school holidays but other AdiZone schemes showed that older people made full, and regular, use of the equipment.  The £150k cost of the equipment would be split between the Government (in partnership with Adidas) and the Council through a Section 106 Agreement by funding secured during development of the New River Village. 

The Committee raised concerns about the security of the site and commented that the location of the AdiZone was unsuitable and highlighted that residents from the Campsbourne Estate did not support the proposals for these reasons.  Officers explained that local residents’ concerns about security were recognised and discussions with the Police and local Safer Neighbourhood Teams about how the site would be operated had taken place as well as a meeting with local young people who supported the proposals.

The Committee agreed that Colin Marr, Chair of the Alexandra Park and Palace Conservation Area Advisory Committee (CAAC), could speak informally at the meeting. Mr Marr highlighted that the proposals did not mention that the Park was a conservation area and commented that the design was overtly commercial and out of character with the area of the Park it would be situated in.  Mr Marr commented that members of the CAAC felt that adequate consultation had not taken place.  Some members of the Consultative Committee supported Mr Marr comments about the lack of consultation with local residents. Officers informed the Committee that several consultation meetings had been held with resident’s groups.

The Committee was reminded that local groups and individuals could submit comments to the London Borough of Haringey’s Planning Department as part of the planning application consultation until 30^th November 2009.  The Board would consider the proposal at its meeting on 24^th November 2009 and, if agreed, the planning application would be considered by the Planning Committee on 7^th December 2009.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted and that the Board be asked to consider the Committee’s comments.