Playing field land on Longview School Huyton
Paul of the Woods Family made this Freedom of Information request to Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council This request has been closed to new correspondence. Contact us if you think it should be reopened.
Dear Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council,
Can you please give me full details on whether the playing field land on Primrose Drive, Longview school, is being out up for sale and if so, the reasons why.
Yours faithfully,
Paul Woods
Dear Mr Woods
Thank you for your email received on 17 January 2015 requesting information about playing field land on Longview School Huyton
I have recorded your request for information under reference F2015.01.943.
This has been passed to the relevant service and you will receive a response by 16 February 2015.
In line with guidance published by the Information Commissioner’s Office, the council may make a charge for the provision of information – for example in order to cover the costs of postage (in line with the relevant postal charges) or charges for printing and copying (which will reflect photocopying charges levied by the council’s public libraries) or if this falls within the regulations of an EIR (Environmental Information).
You will be informed if a fee is to be applied before information is to be provided.
Kind regards
Freedom of Information
Knowsley MBC
Archway Road
Huyton
Knowsley
Merseyside
L36 9UX
Dear Mr Woods,
Freedom of Information request F2015.01.943
I refer to your request for information relating to land at Longview
Drive.
I attach copies of the recent public consultation documents which explain
the council's proposals in relation to the land.
I confirm that it is the council's intention to dispose of the surplus
land in due course for housing development although no timescale for this
has been established at this stage.
Kindest regards,
Freedom of Information
Knowsley MBC
Archway Road
Huyton
Knowsley
Merseyside
L36 9UX
Dear Freedom of Information,
Seriously, is that all this Council does? build houses on playing fields? It's a disgrace.
You have supplied 'Public Consultation' documents, but I do not believe you have consulted the public (yet again), as people I know who live opposite this playing field have NOT been notified or given a chance to object. I live near this playing field, and I did not know anything about it, nor had a chance to object before the deadline.
How have you consulted the public?
Yours sincerely,
Paul of the Woods Family
Dear Mr Woods
The public consultation was undertaken in compliance with DFE guidelines
and included hand delivered letters to the properties shown on the
attached plan. The requirement is for consultation to take place during a
six week period of which four weeks should be term time. The consultation
commenced on 17 November 2014 and closed on 16 January 2015. The letters
referred to above were hand delivered on 21 November 2014.
The same approach has been adopted in relation to several previous
consultations of a similar nature at other locations and when details of
the consultation have been provided to the DFE it has been confirmed as a
compliant process.
Whilst the formal consultation process has closed I would be happy to
consider your response should you wish to submit one as I am always keen
to ensure that the public’s views are fully considered in relation to
these matters.
Ian Capper
Head of Asset Management
Tel: 0151 443 2220 [mobile number] Knowsley Council, Municipal Buildings,
Archway Road, Huyton, Knowsley L36 9UX
Dear Capper, Ian,
But I've spoke to people living in Astley Rd, and Primrose Drive, which are both opposite to this land, and marked on your map, who say they never received any notification and were totally unaware of the propose land disposal.
What proof do you have that these residents received the letters?
How can these residents now object to the proposals, seeing as they have not been given the chance to do so?
Yours sincerely,
Paul of the Woods Family
Dear Mr Woods
Letters were hand delivered by a member of my team to all the properties shown shaded pink on the plan attached to my previous email. I have checked and have no reason to doubt that this is the case.
I would be happy to receive late responses to the consultation from those affected but for these to be considered I really need them by the end of next week, i.e. Friday 30th January.
Ian Capper
Head of Asset Management
Tel: 0151 443 2220 [mobile number]
Knowsley Council, Municipal Buildings, Archway Road, Huyton, Knowsley L36 9UX
Dear Capper, Ian,
It is doubtful for the reason that I have stated. That people living in Astley and Primrose opposite say that they did not receive them.
It's hardly a 'public' consultation, when the majority of the Public in the area were not consulted, or even made aware of the plans.
Did you publish notices in a newspaper as required by law. Can I see evidence of this.
I intend to place a written objection, but I don't believe it's fair to only have less than a week to research the plans, the legislation, and draw up a valid objection.
Why the rush, if there are no immediate plans to build?
And why do the Council believe that they need to dispose of every bit of green space in Huyton??
Yours sincerely,
Paul of the Woods Family
Dear Mr Woods
I confirm again that the notices were distributed as I have previously advised.
There is no requirement to publish notices in the press.
The consultation is solely in relation to the legislation stated in the notice which relates to the reconfiguration of playing field provision for the relevant schools. The proposals are supported by the schools and they regard the resultant provision as an improvement.
The consultation is not in relation to the proposed future use of the surplus land. Any change of use would require planning permission and this would be the subject of public consultation.
A week is considered adequate for the preparation of a response but if by next Friday you have matters which you have not been able to address please let me know what these are and I will consider the matter further.
Ian Capper
Head of Asset Management
Tel: 0151 443 2220 [mobile number]
Knowsley Council, Municipal Buildings, Archway Road, Huyton, Knowsley L36 9UX
Dear Capper, Ian,
Ok, Thank you for making it clear. So, the proposal is just for the reconfiguration of the land, as I would not be in objection to this.
But I would be of the view that the reconfiguration is obviously in preparation for proposals to develop the land is it not? otherwise there'd be no point in reconfiguration.
Can you let me know in good time, when any proposals are made to dispose of the land.
Yours sincerely,
Paul of the Woods Family
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