GORING GREENSWARD

PRESERVE THIS PRECIOUS GREEN SPACE

Goring Residents' Association, The Ilex Conservation Group and The Worthing Society have received massive support for their campaign to preserve Goring Greensward as an open space.

Residents have responded to the campaign by the Goring Residents' Association and the other two groups, in a Petition and Proforma letters, rejecting the idea of a Lottery Playground on the Greensward proposed by Worthing Borough Council, in favour of an alternative location.

Over 2,300 signatures were obtained against using the Greensward.

The Goring Residents' Association together with The Ilex Conservation Group and The Worthing Society, sent out Proforma letters in the November issue of the Goring Guide and at the same time started a Petition to allow residents in Goring to oppose plans to install a Lottery Playground on the Greensward.

The Petition and Letters totalling over 2,100 signatures were presented to The Mayor at the Town Hall on 12 December 2008, the same day that Worthing Borough Council concluded their questionnaire in the 'Vibe' magazine and on-line.

A further 200 signatures were submitted a week later.

Worthing Borough Council stated in their application to TheBigLottery Fund that they would consider alternative sites if local residents' opposition to the site was a risk to the project being able to be progressed (Section 3 of the Assessment Questions, page 11).

Only five years ago, Worthing Borough Council in the 2003 Local Plan, Leisure and Recreation paragraph 11.22 recognised that 'Once built on, open space is likely to be lost to the community forever. As Worthing is a predominantly urban borough, open space within the Built Up Area is of particular importance'.

Open space cannot be increased, that is why it is crucial to conserve the open space that we have particularly as the population of Worthing continues to increase.

'Our campaign took place over the same period of time as that of Worthing Borough Council's questionnaire and we are very pleased that the residents have strongly supported us - to keep the Greensward green without any form of development on it.

There are 43 equipped play areas in Worthing but only one Greensward. This is the jewel in Worthing's crown.

This was recognised as such in the 1930's when Worthing Corporation acquired the land as part of their Town Planning Scheme.

Lately, the importance of unstructured play has been acknowledged by psychologists in an article in The Times (Nov 22 2008). They stressed "Take a child to a playground and the challenges are limited. Take a child to an open space, and the possibilities are much greater".

Kathryn Walker
Vice-Chairman

January 2009