General Discussion
does anybody use the Dawlish playing fields at all? i walked through the other day and it is in such a state. the grass was so long especially around the top of the pitch by the leisure centre. Also a lot of dog mess and litter around.
As far as i am aware the plaing fields has always been used by many and well known for how beautiful it was always kept.
What is the plan with running it down i ask? my guess would be once the locals are fed up with the state of it they will build?? such a shame.
Any thoughts on this subject?
A few weeks back, DADS (Dawlish Against Developing Sandy Lane), canvassed all those standing in Dawlish as candidates for the local town and district councils plus the two leaders of the main parties at TDC (Alan Connett and Jeremy Christophers) asking them what their thoughts were on the future of the playing fields.
As we now know the outcome of the election results I'll reproduce below just two of the responses DADS received. One is from Jeremy Christophers whom I imagine will now be the Leader of Teignbridge District Council and the other is from Michael Clayson, Voices for Dawlish, who is now a Dawlish Town Councillor.
Jeremy Christophers: DADS question - Would you support its (Sandy Lane Playing Fields) protection as a green open space for recreation? JC response - Yes, I realise its importance and can remember many a happy hour playing pitch and putt with my grandfather in my youth. DADS question - Indeed will you support its protection as such? JC response - Yes. DADS question - Do you want to see this land remain open and green, a much needed emerald in the crown of Dawlish? JC response - Yes. DADS question - And what will you do to ensure it remains so? JC response - ensure it is part of the Teignbridge Active Leisure Strategy. I am currently the Champion for Sport for the council.
Michael Clayson: At the heart of the ethos of "Voices for Dawlish" is the principle that the people of Dawlish must be involved in all major decisions that affect the town, and those who actualy get to vote in council meetings must listen respectfully, make a personal decision rather than toe a party line, and ultimately take personal responsibility for the way they have voted. No-one who has followed the Sandy Lane issue can be in any doubt the the will of Dawlish people is for the recreation ground at Sandy Lane to remain a green space. It's where our children play, our pet dogs get to romp around, and we adults get to escape our four walls for air and exercise. We see no reason why that should ever change. We would like to see this multitude of uses properly planned for. It's not good enough to just leave these things to chance. To that end we would welcome the development of a Sport and Leisure plan for the recreation ground. This would involve detailed discussions involving the people of Dawlish, The Warren, Holcombe and Cockwood being given the chance to say what we want to see happen at Sandy Lane. Teignbridge District Council has been given a large sum of government money to write a new "Local Plan for Dawlish" and our suggestion of a Sport and Leisure plan for Sandy Lane could be an important part of that. So the timing is right, but it will only be worth doing if everyone understands that we want a new type of public consultation where we really listen to the wishes of the public and don't just pay lip service.
Thanks for that rsponse. So its the answers that we want to hear, but i can't help but still question why they are running the area down?
it would be great if more sports and activities were introduced into the town and surrounding area but i feel that they need to keep the area well maintained otherwise who knows what will happen in 12-24 months or so? Dogs mess, rubbish and long grass will surely not encourage locals to use the area?
Unless I am totally misreading the mood of the vast majority of people in Dawlish (and I don't think I am) any attempt to use that land for anything other than sports and leisure activity would be vehemently opposed by the electorate. The politicians know that.
We are now in a different political situation than just over a year ago in that: 1. We have a different national government that brings with it a different approach to planning issues. 2. We now have a Conservative controlled District Council and 3. A Voices for Dawlish dominated town council.
What I personally think may be contentious however is how the land is developed for sports and leisure. For example, there are some that would like the leisure centre to be extended whilst others would argue against any such development on the grounds that the land should not be built on irrespective of what the building is for.
Yes, I agree the land has been, and is, neglected at the moment compared to how it is used to be. But it is still used both formally (eg football pitches) and informally (eg dog walking).
Time for pressure to be put on politicians I think, don't you?
Why cant the pitch and putt be reinstated, it was very popular, Alan Connett and his cronies let it become run down ready for developement about the time of the Tescos proposal!!!!!
To have the pitch and putt back would be great, but i can't see that happening!!!
Again when the area is in such a state and people have stopped using it i honestly can't see the above (Lynnes post's) still standing especially in the future when again, councils/govenments change hands. Although i do hope you are right and nothing changes. I guess only time will tell.
On a more positive note the grass up the playing fields has finally been cut
Perhaps therein lies the argument for why the land should be given some kind of permanent protection so that it cannot be developed now or in the future.
The two Cleave brothers took great pride in looking after the area for many years. The grass was cut regular and the area always kept free of rubbish. I saw the grass been cut the other day by five men two on tractors and three with strimmers cutting the long grass the tractor missed. Wonder how much that cost! Lynne i wouldn't hold your breath on the land not being built on, If someone flashes the right amount of cash in front of the council's eyes, well!!
Thought this might be of interest. It has been brought to the attention of the new Voices for Dawlish councillors. We can only but keep putting on the pressure........
I thought at one time individuals or a group (I can't remember who) were looking into getting the playing fields classified as a village green. I wonder whatever happened to that
More info -
http://archive.defra.gov.uk/rural/protected/commonland/tvg.htm
The Village Green application was rejected by Devon County Council. It was opposed by Dawlish Town Council, Dawlish Community Trust, Teignbridge District Council, DAY (Dawlish Action for Youth), Dawlish Town Football club and others. No Appeal against Devon County Council's decision is allowed and the application cannot be resubmitted unless there has been a significant change in circumstances.
That's a shame. It seemed like a good idea.
They could really make something of the playing fields. A few picnic benches on the now defunct golf greens. The cricket pavillion has chunks of render falling off it and the building seems to be wasted.
I know a lot of people have it in for us dog walkers but the majority of the ones I know who walk their dogs there are responsible and its a great place for socialising. If it is ever built on it will be a huge loss to Dawlish.
No golf signs have been added but the sign asking people to pay at the now non existent kiosk is still there. They might as well put up a sign saying "couldn't care less".
