 |
Simon Hughes MPRepresenting Southwark and Bermondsey since 1983 |
 |
The council should work with local groups and residents to make the most of our open spaces - Simon Hughes MP
May 15, 2012 10:00 AM
In response to Southwark council's Draft Open Spaces Strategy consultation, Simon Hughes MP has called on council officers to develop and nurture working relationships with interested individuals and groups in order to ensure the best possible day-to-day care of Southwark's open spaces.
The consultation asked for people's views on what the vision and objectives for the borough should be and to identify key needs and priorities for the different types of open space throughout Southwark.
In his response, Simon stated that the council should work with local groups such as the Bankside Open Spaces Trust and Surrey Docks Farm as well as tenants' and residents' associations to maximise the protection and use of our open spaces. He also called on the council to increase the number of allotments to keep pace with demand, to increase the number of outdoor gyms in Southwark, to keep school playgrounds and youth facilities open outside school hours whenever possible and when appropriate supervision is available, and to improve the management of sporting and other community facilities.
Speaking about his views for the borough's open spaces, Simon said:
"This is an extremely important consultation as it is crucial that we maximise the open spaces in our borough. The coalition government recognises the importance of open spaces not only for our health and well-being but also because they create places where people want to invest, generating new jobs and businesses.
"Liberal Democrat councillors and I would particularly welcome increased protection for some smaller green spaces around the borough which are as important to residents as our major parks. There should be a strong insistence by the council, both as landowner and planning authority, on the retention, improvement and addition of green and open spaces within all new developments, but residential developments particularly."