An artist’s impression of how Barnard Park will look after the redevelopment plan is completed

• FRIENDS of Barnard Park does not represent “all users of the park” as it clearly does not represent me, a frequent user (Why friends of the park fully back council’s plans, April 14).

It is quite disingenuous of them to talk about “formal and informal sports facilities”. They are parroting what is in the council’s proposal, but then the proposal parrots the wishes of the Friends.

A seven-a-side pitch is piddling and bears no relation to the current pitch. There is already plenty of space in the existing green area for “recreation” but what is missing in Islington is a decent-sized pitch for playing sport and exercising.

The reduction is opposed by Sport England and other sporting bodies, but neither the council nor the Friends care. They are in each other’s pockets and have had one intent from the beginning: to reduce the size of the pitch and have more green space to surround the houses abutting the pitch.

It is a proper 11-a-side and has been so for years, so how could its retention “over-dominate” the available space and adversely impact its biodiversity.

To argue at this late stage that the pitch isn’t a “sports facility” or “sport provision” after all, having allowed it be totally degraded, is quite cheeky. We have talked to local groups and schools and if the pitch were maintained it would be used more widely as it is currently considered unsafe by many.

We have had a flawed consultation process; loads of money has been spent on examining the options but no thought given to the promises of external funding (including from Sport England).

The council’s own laws require that only in the case of exceptional circumstances can such a facility be diminished. Once lost, an open area like this will never again be available for residents due to the pressure on land for development and the council’s financial constraints.

Fitness and health should be a priority for all local authorities, particularly those with a high residential density like Islington, where the needs are great. How can the council justify its actions?

I hope that residents – particularly those of us who use the park and people living around Caledonian Road – make it clear to Emily Thornberry and Labour councillors that they will vote with their feet at the general election as the wishes of locals are being completely disregarded in relation to the use of the park and the degradation and now diminution of the pitch.

MARGARET ROWE, WC1