A POPULAR park which has been fenced off for over two years under threat of development has been defended in Parliament by Rugby’s MP.
Mark Pawsey told the House of Commons that development in Rugby must be balanced against preserving open spaces such as Oakfield Recreation Ground.
Speaking during questions to the Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom, Mr Pawsey voiced his concern that the park’s owner Heart of England Co-Op has continued to push ahead with plans to develop it despite huge local opposition.
In early December, Rugby Borough Council’s Planning Committee unanimously refused the application for a retirement village to be built on Oakfield Rec on the grounds it would ‘result in the loss of a substantial area of designated open space’ – the second time plans for the site have been rejected.
Mrs Leadsom agreed that there needs to be a balance between delivering homes and protecting outdoor spaces.
Speaking after Business Questions, Mr Pawsey said: “Oakfield Rec is a really valuable green space in New Bilton, an area of Rugby which has limited open spaces. Ever since the announcement by the heart of England Co-Op that they would be seeking to develop this land, I have made my concerns over these proposals very clear and I am pleased that Rugby Borough Council’s Planning Committee refused the most recent application.
“I have always been very supportive of the need to deliver the new housing that Rugby’s growing population needs, but this needs to be in places where it is appropriate. The development of a well-used and beloved recreation ground is clearly not the right place for new housing, especially in the context of the substantial delivery of new housing at 17 sites throughout the constituency.
“I have met with representatives of the Co-Op on this matter before to urge them to come to an agreement with Rugby Borough Council to allow local residents to be able to use Oakfield Rec once more. I hope that the Co-Op will now consider coming back to the table to resolve this issue.”
The Co-op controversially fenced off the park in 2016 after its plan to build 50 new homes there was rejected by RBC.
