• LAST year, the council undertook a large public consultation on how best to upgrade Barnard Park (Last-ditch bid to save pitch, March 17).

This included making improvements to the tired but popular football pitch and taking into account the demand for both organised and casual sporting activities, as well as other non-sports uses.

The existing pitch is no longer fit for purpose and the proposed upgrades would cater for organised sport on a modern playing surface. But not everyone wants to commit to joining a team, booking a slot and so on.

Alongside an improved pitch, our plans will open up the park to those looking for somewhere to just turn up and play. The park’s open space is intended to be flexible and for everyone.

Following extensive discussion with the community we have developed a plan for Barnard Park that we hope will work for everyone, and will shortly be submitting a revised planning application.

We have engaged previously with the Copenhagen Youth Project on plans for the park, and are happy to discuss how the open space is used and managed, and on ensuring pitch time is available for groups like it to run sports development programmes.

CLLR CLAUDIA WEBBE
Labour executive member for environment and transport