Lib Dems criticise sale of school playing fields

Published on Wed 9th Jan 2008

Simon Wright

Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman for Norwich South, speaks out about the Blackdale playing field.

"In response to Bert Bremner's letter regarding the future of Blackdale School playing fields (Evening News, December 19), I can confirm that he is right in saying that the Liberal Democrats are now petitioning the Government to challenge the proposed sale of this land.

The reason that we've launched this petition is quite simple: there are two authorities whose actions could see this land sold. One is Norfolk County Council, who own the land; the other is the Government, whose permission is necessary before the Council can sell school playing fields.

The Labour Government has, regrettably, given approval to the County Council's proposal to sell the playing fields. The Government has given this approval despite objections from a huge section of the local community. I handed in letters of objection from over 100 people last year to the Education Secretary in Whitehall.

So the decision of the Government Minister to approve the sale of land despite the strength of opposition has angered me, and many others who have campaigned hard to see these fields kept for the benefit of all the community.

I do support Labour Cllr Bert Bremner's calls for people to put their objections to the County Council for proposing to sell this valuable land, but I reject his suggestion that we shouldn't't't also be putting pressure on the Labour Government for their part in this.

The community has fought a very strong campaign so far, and we need all politicians to support this campaign by putting the future of the playing fields before party political interests. We need to fight every battle with every relevant authority to win this one."