FORMER school playing fields in the north west of York should be handed over to a community group, a city councillor has said.
Cllr Stuart Barnes, who represents Acomb, has started a petition to get the old Manor School fields off Boroughbridge Road converted into public green space and play areas for local residents.
Cllr Stuart Barnes
He met senior officers at City of York Council last week to talk about the plans, and said he was encouraged by the support they showed.
He said: “It will be slightly more complicated than just opening the fields up to the public, because some of the school buildings on the site are not safe for public access, and it costs the council quite a lot of money to repair them after trespass or vandalism.”
Instead, he wants to see the fields transferred into the ownership of a community or voluntary group, which could then develop and run the fields and fulfil an important need for more open space and sports facilities in the area.
The moves will take a lot of planning and will need permission from the Department for Education, as the old Manor site is still listed as an education site, but Cllr Barnes is hopeful it could happen in months, rather than years.
He added: “It is ultimately a political decision for the council executive to take, but there was a lot of optimism at the meeting and we spoke about the risks and the benefits. I am hoping a community group will be formed to take care of the field. The council would not be able to manage it as a new park as the money just is not there, so we need some kind of group to take it on.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Barnes’ colleague in Acomb Cllr Keith Myers has announced an “Acomb Gala” to take place on the old Manor School fields on Saturday, September 17 from 1pm to 4pm, with music, food and family - similar to the established Acomb Green Fair which took place on Saturday.
Cllr Myers also welcomed news that the city council was in talks to take responsibility for a football field, play park and dog walking area known as “Northfield”, off Beckfield Lane.
The land is currently owned by the developers of the nearby housing scheme, but has had problems with litter and dog mess, Cllr Myers said.
He added: “Acomb doesn’t have many open spaces and every one needs to be used for the benefit of everyone.”
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