Frustrated residents objecting to proposed plans for a community park say their area "needs more."
Knowsley Council has launched a consultation asking residents for their views on proposals to bring further improvements to Jubilee Park in Huyton. Residents opposed to the plans have told the ECHO more needs to be done for the park.
Christine Keen regularly walks around the park for her mental health, having met many friends through the open space. But she told the ECHO that only residents facing the park were told about the potential plans, and not enough time was given to send letters due to postal strikes.
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Under the current proposals, improvements would see the creation of a 3G football pitch, a grass pitch, the refurbishment of the pavilion as well as a car park area and landscaping works. Huyton Juniors Football Club are working with Knowsley Council and the Football Foundation to secure funding to deliver the proposed project.
Christine said: "The patch behind the pavilion is going to be fenced off, along the green space behind. We know the football does an amazing job for the kids in this area who like football. But it's now imbalanced, where it's going to be predominantly a football park and not a park for everyone."
Christine said she has had a successful meeting with the council about taking over the pavilion with the hopes of turning it into a community hub. With plans to open in January, she wants to bring the community together through a variety of events, making the most of their green space.
She added: "It's not a football academy, we don't want it turning into that. We want space. Not everyone wants to play football."
The plans are currently at the consultation stage and residents are being invited to have their say via a survey by December 12, 2022. More information about the proposed plans can be found here.
Concerns have also been raised about a proposed "lockable gate" which residents say would restrict access, as well as turning one entrance to the park into a "crossroads". There are also worries the car park and football pitches would create additional traffic.
One woman said: "It's the traffic as well, it's bad enough near the doctors and chemist, it's horrendous. It's nice they are doing something but there's other areas they could do it in. They haven't done a lot for the park, they should put more in. It's a deprived area, they should do more things for all the kids."
Margaret Crawley added: "My son plays for a local football team, they have to rent pitches. It's a nightmare for parking. The road is lethal when the kids come out of school so you can imagine how busy it will be. You can't park outside your own house, it's dangerous.
"My daughter does dance, are they going to put a dance hall on? They will take this little bit of green space we've got and not give anything back. How much will it cost? People are skint, it's unfair.
"This could be so much more. It feels like the plans are done and we have to swallow it but no, I'm more than prepared to chain myself to the fence. We need more."
A Facebook page has been created so residents can express their views, which is "growing in numbers", Christine said. More information can be found here.
A spokesperson for Knowsley Council said: "The proposed improvement plans for Jubilee Park have been developed through ongoing community consultation and have been shaped by community feedback. The plans have been shared with residents throughout the process, both on site and through online consultations, and have received positive support locally.
"However, we understand that not everyone will be in favour of the proposals and so we are continuing to work with the local community to look at any issues and address any further questions residents might have.
"Work is taking place around engaging wider groups to use the site and Knowsley’s Sports Development Officer is working with a range of sporting and community bodies to increase use of the site and to create new opportunities for all members of the local community. Knowsley’s Greenspaces Team are also working with community members to look at delivering non sporting activities at the Pavilion.
"We want to ensure that Jubilee Park remains a place for everyone to visit and that any improvements to the park are positive for the community. The proposals are still open to consultation and residents can provide feedback online at www.knowsley.gov.uk/your-council/consultations until 12 December 2022.
"We will also be holding further community sessions in the new year and welcome anyone with questions to come along. These events will be advertised locally and on www.knowsleynews.co.uk."
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