Lib Dems voice concerns over Council's plans

Campaigners collected more that 1,000 signatures at the London Mela last weekend from music fans keen to secure the future of the park.

Around 1,100 people at Sunday's festival signed a petition to save Gunnersbury organised by the Hounslow and Ealing Liberal Democrats in response to recent revelations about a possible sell-off.

The park is now on English Heritage's Buildings at Risk register, with nine of its 21 listed buildings in danger of crumbling down.

Reducing budgets and limited capital investment had contributed to the steady decline in both the physical structure of its landscape and buildings, demanding a new approach to safeguard its future. In March last year, a new board to manage Gunnersbury Park was formed ending an

historic joint-committee arrangement between the two councils.

The board, which is made up of representatives from both councils, is developing an action plan for the park, including identifying new investment opportunities.

Richard Gill has been appointed as development and regeneration manager for Gunnersbury Park. He has previously worked on a similar project at Chiswick House and Gardens, which is being transformed by a multi-million pound National Lottery grant.

But the Lib Dems say people are concerned about the secrecy surrounding councils’ plans for the park and have voiced concerns that the covenant restricting the use of the park for non-commercial activities could be broken.

And now it is said part of the 186-acre site in Gunnersbury Avenue, Brentford, could be sold off to a private school to pay for improvements, a prospect that outrages many park users.

Chris Dakers one of the Lib Dems collecting signatures, said: “This is a gem held in trust for future generations – but where is that trust?”                           

Gill is urging people to get involved in the stakeholder group. He said: "These are exciting times for Gunnersbury Park. There is a real desire to find new investment and transform this much-loved park for present and future generations to enjoy. While the board will be the main decision-maker, we are determined that people who have a genuine interest in improving the park should have an opportunity to influence that decision-making, and I hope people come forward to register their interest."

Possible stakeholders include anyone with a professional or voluntary background in parks, wildlife, leisure and heritage. But equally local people who regularly use the park, or are concerned about other issues, are welcome to register their interest by calling 020 8992 1612.

August 13, 2008