‘Inner-city football and sports facilities should be encouraged not compromised’

• CONCERNING plans for Finsbury Leisure Centre, I have returned from an injury and, to my dismay, see that Islington Council are reviving the idea of building flats on the football pitches.

I am from the area and have been using the pitches, pool, squash courts, and other facilities my entire life. It’s a real shame that the council are prepared to go along with this plan. It’s beyond me when we need more space for physical and mental wellbeing rather than less.

I understand we need more homes, and affordable ones. I grew in two council estates so I know the problems. That said, I know that many existing council estates that were build post-war can do with modernising and have scope to increase capacity there.

It may be more expensive but better that then losing a valuable space for inner-city football and sports facilities. These should be encouraged not compromised.

Surely the council can find other, brownfield , sites to build affordable housing (just look at all the new skyscraper flats going up on City Road and the huge redevelopment at King’s Cross) rather than take away a much-loved football facility.

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