Local Liberal Democrats are questioning plans to sell off treasured ‘metropolitan open space’ at the Hornsey Central Hospital site for the construction of an all weather football pitch, with high floodlighting columns, for use by Highgate Wood School.

Lib Dem councillors for Muswell Hill, Highgate and Crouch End say that the facility will be no substitute for the loss of green space in the area. The scheme is also out of step with current planning guidelines in the Unitary Development Plan, which states that “…development which harms the open character of the land or which compromises its value to London’s green setting will not be permitted.” The Lib Dems have made their views clear in a letter to the local health trust, which is consulting on the sale of the site.

Crouch End councillor and planing spokesperson, Cllr Dave Winskill comments:

“I don’t believe that the change in use of this green space would befit the area. The playing of football, with floodlights, possibly until 10.00 at night would not compensate for the loss of the green belt character of the land.

“The Primary Care Trust should look at ways of using the space to enhance the peacefulness that it currently enjoys, as well as considering how the land might benefit users of the new Hornsey Central Hospital.”

Local councillor and Lib Dem Leader Ross Laird adds:

“Other uses of this site might include providing laid out gardens for the use of residents, or possibly offering some of the space as allotments so that local people could work in conjunction with the HCH residents. The land could have real therapeutic value for the residents. I hope that the Trust shares my concerns about these plans.”