Rugby MP Mark Pawsey (left) at Oakfield Rec with founding member of “Save Oakfield,” John Brown (right)
The battle to save Oakfield Recreation Ground has gone to the top of Government, I have written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP, asking that he recovers the Oakfield planning appeal. This allows the Secretary of State to review the initial decision by Rugby Borough Council, along with a recommendation from the Planning Inspectorate, and come to a final decision.
The initial planning application by the Co-Operative Society would have seen 50 houses built on Oakfield, but was refused by Rugby Borough Council in March of this year. Despite efforts to secure the future of Oakfield Recreation Ground for local residents through the action group “Save Oakfield”, the Co-Op have stated they will appeal the decision and fenced off the park preventing continued use by the community.
Oakfield Rec is a vital local asset which has been used for over 30 years by residents, families and sports teams. Losing it would be a major blow to the community and so it is only right that I ask the Secretary of State to intervene in this appeal.
I am very disappointed that not only have the Co-Op decided to appeal the decision of Rugby Borough Council, but that they have also taken steps to prevent the community from using Oakfield during this time.
Oakfield Recreation Ground is situated in one of the most densely populated areas of the town which already has insufficient open space and I have always been firmly opposed to any development on this site. Oakfield needs to be protected and I have made this clear in my letter to the Secretary of State.