Handicapped children’s playground in Wandsworth Common splits community

Battle lines were drawn after neighbours of the parkland staged a stormy protest meeting to show their disapproval of a proposal to build on an acre of land at the site.

A subsequent gathering of Wandsworth Council’s planning committee, on April 2, 1974, attracted a record attendance as campaigners and councillors clashed over a way forward.

Backing the plan, Councillor M Morgan, said: “Why have they never objected to other uses for Wandsworth Common, including the one o’clock club?

“Why have they never objected to common land being used for football pitches, cricket pitches etc?

“The handicapped children should have the same privileges as others, and I believe we shall soon find the new playground would be successfully integrated with the existing adventure playground and the one o’clock club.”

Several councillors claimed the playground would be of huge benefit to all youngsters with a disability but Labour councillor, L Massey, said there needed to be greater public consultation.

He suggested the town’s MP, Ernest Perry, should be given time to speak with the Environment Minister to outline a case against the proposal.

Councillors argued that the playground was not suitable for Wandsworth Common and an alternative site, such as land at Putney hospital should be used.

However, Councillor I McGarry responded by explaining the loss of one acre of land on the common would still leave 174 acres for visitors.

Thirty-six years later and the use of common-land continues to be a sensitive subject today.

Last month, park users expressed their anger over a decision by Wandsworth Council to hire out popular parts of Wandsworth Common to sports teams.

After receiving complaints, the council was forced to rethink which areas of the park should be hired out.

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