Finishing line in sight for campaign

8:12am Sunday 18th May 2008

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The finishing line is in sight for a group racing against time to save Barnes playing fields - but victory is not yet guaranteed.

Campaign organisation Barnes Vision was given three months by Richmond Council to secure funding to prevent land in Barn Elms being sold to a private firm and by the May 1 deadline had £1.5m of the £2.4m required.

Members hope that letters of intent from London Marathon Charitable Trust (LMCT), and an as yet unnamed Richmond independent school, will persuade the council to support their proposal and grant more time for the remaining money to be assured.

Speaking for the group, Nicole Pound said: "The council has been grappling with this issue for more than a decade, so three months seemed unreasonable."

Fellow member Patricia Newton, added: "We are in talks with other potential partners and are confident that they are likely to commit.

"We're so close to success."

With guidance and advice from Fields in Trust, Barnes Vision handed its plans to save the 5.5 acre site to the council at the beginning of May.

Additional funds are being sought from organisations such as Sports England and the Football Association.

Parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park Zac Goldsmith said: "It would be appalling for the council to pull the rug out now.

"We have a real opportunity to save this valuable community asset."

Council cabinet member for youth, culture and leisure, Councillor John Coombs said: "The proposal will be carefully appraised in preparation for a June cabinet report when Members will consider the way forward for Barn Elms.

"Clearly, it will be important to understand the detail of what is proposed by Barnes Vision and the council remains 100 per cent committed to providing first-class public sports facilities at Barn Elms."