Bowling Green: Update

It has been a few weeks since we last provided an update on the proposals to ‘redevelop’ the bowling green in Paddington Rec and provide additional tennis facilities.

The short answer is, that in the last couple of months, nothing of significance has actually occurred. At the Rec meeting in late September, we successfully argued that council officers (who are proposing the change) had not compiled a comprehensive or detailed-enough proposal for comment to be made. Officers were then asked to go away and create such a proposal.

Since then, additional information has been provided but still not to the level of detail that we feel is needed to allow the Cabinet Member for Parks (who will take the ultimate decision) to make an informed decision. As a result, we continue to file information requests with officers on the proposal, the existing performance of the bowling green and the use of the existing excellent tennis facilities.

We have been guaranteed a meeting with the Cabinet Member for Parks before any decision is taken and we are currently awaiting a date to be set for this – which, with Christmas coming up, looks as though it may now be in the New Year. At this meeting we will press for a full public meeting where local residents can provide their views on the proposal.

As local Councillors, we continue to oppose the current plans for ‘redevelopment’ and will continue to press for the bowling green to be given the support needed to get it back into proper and regular use. We’ll keep you informed.

Jan