Bitterne Park Primary want to reserve part of Riverside Park for use of pupils

More than 100 people packed out Bitterne Park Social Club in Manor Farm Road last night to debate Bitterne Park Primary School’s proposal to lease a field in Riverside Park for 25 years.

The field, which is the size of two football pitches, is just behind the school in Riverside Park.

Bitterne Park Primary School is proposing to build an 8ft fence around the field, re-route a public footpath there and limit public access to it after and during school hours.

The proposal will mean that the field is used solely by the school unless it is booked by community groups during school hours.

It will then be open to the public between 3.30pm and 6pm, but after and before those times it will be locked.

Should people want to use it after, during or before those times, they would have to book use of the field by calling the school.

However, the proposal has caused concern with residents in the area as well as the Friends of Riverside Park group, who regularly maintain and organise litter picks there.

But staff at Bitterne Park Primary School argue that it is vital that the land is used for school use and educational purposes.

Chair of governors at Bitterne Park Primary School, Howard Whitehead, said: “The main issue is not about ownership, it is about giving our children a place to play which is a safe place, not a concrete playground.

“This field will allow children to have a safe area where they can play sport and have lessons to learn about nature in a safe environment.”

One parent pointed out that the field is often riddled with dog poo and says that she has also seen nappies and syringes there.

But raising questions over the accessibility of the land for the public was Friends of Riverside Park chairman Doug Perry.

Mr Perry said: “We want to see a safe area for children, but after school has finished it should be open to the general public and that’s all we want.”

Bitterne Park councillor Peter Baillie was delighted with the turnout to the meeting and he said he could see both sides.

Cllr Baillie said: “Today’s world is not the same as ten years ago. If we want children to have access to a park it has to be done in a different way than at present.

“On the other hand a 25-year lease on that land will mean it will not be got back.

“Whatever decision is made has to be right for the local community.”