Join a Walkabout with Friends of Bishops Park on April 21

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And hear from council officers about Fulham FC's proposed use of Fielder's Meadow

The Friends of Bishops Park are inviting members and park users to a Walkabout around the park on Thursday April 21.

The Friends say the Walkabout is open to anyone who would like to hear more about proposed improvements and general issues relating to use of the park.

They will be joined by Senior Council Officers who will address questions, including those relating to the temporary use of Fielders Meadow by Fulham Football Club

The Walkabout will begin at 5pm  outside the Community Rooms in Bishops Park, closest entrance Bishops Park Road.

As we reported in March, Fielders Meadow, the grassed area of Bishops Park directly to the east of Fulham Football Club, is set to be partly closed for two years during the redevelopment of the club's Riverside Stand.

The Friends of Bishops Park say they are having ongoing dialogue with H&F Council, Fulham Football Club and the Church Commissioners about the partial use of Fielders Meadow as a site to store materials etc while the takes place.

The Friends say there have been many questions around whether this is an appropriate use of the park, even for a temporary period.

Residents living around the stadium were told of the proposed use of Fielders Meadow, park of the park popular with families for games and sports, in a letter sent earlier this month from the council's Director for Safer Neighbourhoods, David Page.

In the letter, he acknowledged that, while Fulham FC needs to use the space for its contractors this is "not an ideal situation for park users", he added that the redevelopment does bring a number of benefits to the park in the short and long term, including £600,000 for park improvements.

The Friends of Bishops Park say on their website: " Whilst many residents have expressed their concerns we have tried to have then addressed by the relevant parties and have sought assurances that any damage to the fabric of the park is dealt with once the works are completed."

And they say there are significant financial incentives attached to FFC leasing this part of the park which is separate to the S106 money attached the approved planning application.

The total benefit of S106 £1.38M has been broken down as follows:

• £600,000 Bishops Park Restoration payment
• £400,000 to cover maintenance over ten years
• £60,000 Heritage Gates contribution
• £50,000 upgrading of toilet block (a major complaint by users of the park)
• £100,000 towards refurbishment of the pitch (open area)
• £50,000 towards removal of Japanese Knotweed

The Council's Arborist will be dealing with the trees issue i.e. removal of and pollarding of trees. Any trees removed will be replaced 2-1 in the area where they have been removed.

The Friends are also in discussions with the Council / FFC to ensure the hours of work and noise, especially relating to pilling work, will not adversely impact on the local community.

In his letter, David Page says that, if the plan is approved, a temporary path will be installed outside the hoarding to ensure a full loopof the park can still be undertaken.

Indicating that work will begin this summer, the council anticipates the area will be used until the summer of 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 8, 2016