Community participation essential in future Gunnersbury Park plans

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 31st Jul 2006

Local Liberal Democrat councillor for Brentford, Andrew Dakers, calls for the community to be allowed to participate in future plans for the park.

After significant local opposition to a 365 day/year license application for Gunnersbury Park by CIP, the licensing panel tonight approved a one day restricted license on the Mela Festival at Gunnersbury Park. Local ward councillor Andrew Dakers, who spoke against the application, is calling for lessons to be learnt from the debacle of the past few weeks. He says the community must now be allowed to participate directly in shaping the future plans for the park and the spirit of the Rothschild Covenant defended.

Andrew Dakers, Councillor for Brentford ward, commented:

"It is clear that any systems for consulting the local community around Gunnersbury Park have broken down. CIP and the Gunnersbury Park Joint Committee must now work hard to re-engage the local community and explain their plans for the future of the park.

"The local community want to know why such intrusive events are taking place without prior consultation and CIP are applying for all year round licenses. I want openness and transparency around the finances of the park so plans can be made for future investment.

"Gunnersbury Park offers huge opportunities for a truly fantastic community resource to be developed. The park is unfortunately now suffering from chronic under investment over many decades. The Joint Committee's plan to appoint a Development Manager later this year offers hope. Further action by the joint committee to protect the park's future must now be swift."

Related Links:

Gunnersbury Park information

Gunnersbury Park Covenant Group

Joint Committee minutes

BBC News: Challenge to Mela in park fails