100 signatures reached
To: Milton Keynes City Council and Parish Council (Watling ward).
Save Aldwyck’s Field and designate it with Local Green Space Protection
We call upon the council and Parish Council of Shenley Church End to reject the current design and planning proposal and preserve the open character, extensive biodiversity, and habitats around it, including the wildlife in the pond. Additionally, to preserve one of the few green spaces remaining in this area for general community use and enjoyment, as changing it could cause further anti-social behaviour in the area, increased footfall, and possible other issues of littering and damage, as well as a great impact on those who use it now for well-being and relaxation purposes. This means we do NOT want multiple age-related play areas erected and additional pathways on Aldwyck’s Field, and we would like the council and parish council to also designate this much-loved green with a Local Green Space designation, with a heightened statement to thoroughly protect Aldwyck's Field from any permanent ground disturbance or obstruction to the open aspect.
Why is this important?
No matter what age or background, we all love the open aspect of Aldwyck's Field. Residents and visitors come here for informal recreational sports, picnics, or to simply sit on the bench or grass to relax and breathe in the calm, serene surroundings after a hard-working day, or simply to enjoy a gentle, leisurely walk or jog across it or around it, with or without a dog in tow or one towing you. Lots of past and present residents have told me of the fond memories they have for this precious green haven, of weddings and childhood games of football, cricket and hide and seek. Many people have come to love the character of this green space and are vehemently opposed to it being partly changed into multiple playgrounds just because there is Section 106 funding from the developer of the Shenley Wood estate to mitigate the impact of that development on our area so exacerbating the impact by altering our green when there are 5 play areas already in existence in this area which need reimagining and refurbishment.
Why do we need another play area when MK has one of the highest play area per capita in this country?
In addition, these meetings (pre-design confirmation phase) were held when we have not had much information, and the FOIs I submitted have still not been responded to; plus (surveys due to start in September), the results from the council's QR/online survey from the first play event meeting on 29 July will not be out until September. So hardly any information has been given to us, and in the 23 July council minutes, Aldwyck's Field has been allocated around £372000 of Section 106 funding from Dandara for what seems to be a very large intrusive project! Many people have told me they saw these meetings being described as consultations, and then suddenly they are not!!! I submitted a formal objection to Philip Snell and Lauren before the meeting on Thursday 20 August. Another meeting with no minutes taken!
Our Strategy for Aldwyck's Field:
Why do we need another play area when MK has one of the highest play area per capita in this country?
In addition, these meetings (pre-design confirmation phase) were held when we have not had much information, and the FOIs I submitted have still not been responded to; plus (surveys due to start in September), the results from the council's QR/online survey from the first play event meeting on 29 July will not be out until September. So hardly any information has been given to us, and in the 23 July council minutes, Aldwyck's Field has been allocated around £372000 of Section 106 funding from Dandara for what seems to be a very large intrusive project! Many people have told me they saw these meetings being described as consultations, and then suddenly they are not!!! I submitted a formal objection to Philip Snell and Lauren before the meeting on Thursday 20 August. Another meeting with no minutes taken!
Our Strategy for Aldwyck's Field:
- Stop the Playground Proposal: Aldwycks Field is currently designated as Amenity Space. We cannot apply for Local Green Space (LGS) status while active playground plans are being pursued.
- Secure LGS Designation: Once the current proposal is successfully stopped, we will apply for Local Green Space status.
- Ensure Permanent Protection: We will include a heightened statement within the LGS designation to permanently prohibit built structures, prevent ground disturbance, and preserve the field's open aspect forever.
We need to stop this now.
The online council survey is the same as the QR survey given out at the first consultation (a complete waste of time) on the field- go to the MKCC website:
https://scepc.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/Website/IQAZrGpk_7EkQJ-qQrFgOlJUAc7yZoAOFGxgJrWdq6whxJc?rtime=fZuDwTz63kg
The council is redoing this survey, as this one was considered biased and unfit for purpose by us at the meeting on 20 August!
Please pass this petition around, as we have not finished yet! Please go to our new Facebook page for further information.
How it will be delivered
To the council digitically and also to the Parish Council in person.
