Local MP, John McDonnell, has Launched the Battle to Save Lake Farm from Attack by the Council

Along with the local ward councillors I have launched a battle against Hillingdon Council to save this green belt site from development by the council. 20 years ago I set up the Friends of Lake Farm to prevent this green belt site from being used as a gravel pit and waste tip. Campaigning with local residents we won at a public inquiry and I persuaded the then Labour controlled council to buy the land and transform it into the first newly created country park in West London in decades. I am the chair of the Friends of Lake Farm, which includes representatives of local residents groups, David Brough from the Town Centre Partnership, the Hayes Hawks BMX club and the Golden Crescent Sikh Gurdwara. Last week the Friends of Lake Farm voted unanimously to oppose the council’s plans to build on this green belt area of the park. At the packed public meeting of local residents I convened in two weeks ago local residents also launched a petition opposing this incursion into the green belt.

I believe that the Conservatives on Hillingdon Council have effectively declared war on our community. Trying to sell of our Golden Crescent library for housing, allowing the old swimming pool site to stand derelict and now planning to build on a much valued and historic green belt site. The Botwell Common , Lake Farm park is one of the last pieces of green belt land left in central Hayes. Only weeks ago the Conservative Leader of the Council gave us a solemn undertaking that he would protect and not allow building on our local green belt.Many residents have said to me that clearly cannot trust a word this man says. Many now feel completely betrayed and wonder what other areas of local green belt are also now at risk.

We are now launching battle against the Council’s attack on our green belt. We will petition, demonstrate and take this issue to both the Mayor for London and the Secretary of State. This land is protected as green belt and contains many local species of valuable plants and wildlife, including the famous Lake Farm skylarks. I cannot believe any government minister would allow this major onslaught on our green belt to go ahead. No piece of green belt in our area is safe if the council gets its way on Lake Farm. Contact me if you feel you can help in this campaign.

submitted by John on 05 Aug 2011 at 13:42