Group wins Asset of Community Value status for controversial section of park


Section of river walk in question - image ©Friends of Wandsworth Park

The Friends of Wandsworth Park have managed to gain Asset of Community Value (ACV) status for a section of the park which the Council are aiming to transfer to private ownership.

The granting of the ACV is one step towards halting the controversial proposal. The ACV will delay the sale or leasing of the land should the Council decide to proceed as it allows the ACV applicant (The Friends of Wandsworth Park) time to make a bid.

An ACV in England is land or property of importance to a local community which is subject to additional protection from development under the Localism Act 2011.


Proposed area to be annexed for private use - application 2017/2707

Residents of Deodar Road have applied to Wandsworth Council to get a change of use of plot of land in the north western corner of the park next to the river. They argue that it has become 'a haven for undesirable activities' and already needs to be locked to prevent public access.

The application is to convert an area of 176 sqm next to 105-115 Deodar Road from Class D2 (assembly and leisure) to Class C3 (dwelling house) which would allow the applicants to convert it into a communal private garden should Wandsworth Council grant them a lease.

Following the news of the ACV, the Friends of Wandsworth Park stated that: "It was worth all the time and effort for such a positive achievement. This is a big win for the members of our local community who spoke up for what we believe in. We hope that we can all come together and find some exciting ways to celebrate and use this space productively. Thank you to everyone for your support. It is very important that we all acknowledge the value in supporting the Friends of Wandsworth Park and how together we can truly achieve valuable and rewarding outcomes."

The Friends of Wandsworth Park had previously been in contact with the Council about using the site for an education centre or as a planting area. They say they were not informed about the original application to convert the site and only learned of the plan when they received several emails from members and people from the community.

In their letter of objection to the proposal they say they are strongly opposed to the application and that they do not believe public spaces should be disposed of.

They write, "The antisocial behaviour that appears to be the impetus for this Application is but a microcosm of the antisocial behaviour present throughout the entire Park. This needs to be properly addressed and disposing of a piece of Park for this reason seems unjustified and unreasonable."

In addition they point out that this area is the start of a planned extension of the Thames Path.

When we contacted the architect who have made the application to annex the area we did not receive a response.

August 18, 2017