Still fighting to save bowling in Gunnersbury Park
As those of you interested in this matter know, the bowling club was evicted by the CIC in January; we had to dispose of our equipment and quit the premises. The CIC want to replace the green with a golf activity. Putt in the Park's first planning application was refused. We were delighted when their second planning application (for the same project) was about to be refused. But then the Brentford councillors (who said nothing when the first application was refused) decided to 'call it in' to try to get the decision reversed! Why, you might ask?Anyone would think we were trying to do damage to the park, rather than keeping open a long-standing and much needed and enjoyed amenity. We are not against the crazy golf, we would simply like another site for it to be considered so bowling and golf can co-exist in the park. The old tennis courts are a flat piece of land with a building with all the necessary services next to it and only a couple of minutes from the car park.A group of volunteers has continued to maintain the green, weeding and mowing it so it doesn't fall into irreparable disrepair. We had to remove several huge lumps of concrete deliberately dumped on the green. And the contractors for the sport hall have done a lot of damage by driving their heavy lorries across the front of the pavilion. They should be required to make good, but, of course, they won't be.When it became widely known how the bowling club had been treated by the CIC, a wave of support was forthcoming and we now have over 40 members and offers of practical help from various organisations. Even a national newspaper, the Sunday Telegraph, published an article about our fight. Destroying an existing amenity in the park should be unthinkable, but the CIC seem absolutely determined that it must be.
Bela Cunha ● 2174d0 Comments