Residents fight for survival of Chiltern Drive Playing Field in Spalding

A group of frustrated campaigners are calling for ‘small-minded’ council bosses to think twice before turning a popular playing field into a burial ground.

Residents of Chiltern Drive in Spalding are currently fighting to keep the estate’s green space, following controversial plans proposed by South Holland District Council.

The communal area, which is off West Elloe Avenue and next to Spalding Cemetery on Pinchbeck Road, was previously threatened ten years ago when it was argued the graveyard only had four years worth of space left.

As a result of a petition which objected to the plans in 2015, the application was refused by South Holland District Council’s planning committee and no changes were made to the site.

Rodney Marks, who has been a resident on the estate for 50 years, is against the idea and believes it will have an effect on children who live there.

He said: “My kids and grandchildren have all played on it.

“I’m not against people being buried, but it does feel like the council is putting the dead above the living.

“The living need the green space to exercise and play in and if it’s taken away they can’t do that – kids need to get out instead of staying inside on their screens.

“I’m sure there are other spaces around the town which could be used. South Holland District Council needs to look beyond the end of their noses and get out there to find it.”

Although the original plans were raised a decade ago, residents started to worry it was back on the cards again after noticing the upkeep of the park had declined.

“Over the past years SHDC have slowly taken equipment when it’s gone wrong and not replaced it,” Rodney added.

“They have removed the zip wire, goal posts, a roundabout and springy chicken.

“The grass has also not been cut for two months – it looks like a jungle.”

Residents are currently posting flyers through neighbours’ doors and trying to get as many people on board to fight against the new proposal.

The green space can also be accessed from Vernatt’s Nature Reserve and one nearby resident, who frequently volunteers at the popular wildlife haven, fears the extension will affect dog walkers who regularly use it as a route.

Malcolm Biggadike said: “The council should have never considered it again, it’s ridiculous – they are wasting their time.

“There are lots of dog walkers who let their dogs run free around that area and this could affect the links to the reserve.

“People won’t want to see hearses going down Chiltern Drive or walk past funerals taking place – it won’t be very private for cemetery use.

“The council is playing dirty.

“They are not listening to residents and if they take it away from the public they will be very small-minded.

“Within 20-30 years the extension would be full and once you take that space away you’ll never get it back again.

“The council have shut their door on it, as far as they are concerned it’s going to be a cemetery.”

Ward member for Spalding Castle, Coun Gary Taylor, previously voted against the plans ten years ago.

He said: “It’s an emotive subject – we do encourage people to make use of the outdoors and use playing equipment.

“It is a small playing field and to lose a percentage of it would make it smaller and less attractive. If it’s lost, it’s lost forever.

“The proposal creates local debate and I think it is important for people to have their say as it is on residents’ doorsteps.

“I believe the space is currently underused and needs to be made more use of for community events, celebrations and activities.

A spokesperson from South Holland District Council said: “We recognise the desire of Spalding’s residents to have local, peaceful and well maintained space to visit and remember their loved ones, and an expansion of the existing Cemetery site is essential for us to be able to continue to provide this in the future.

“Whilst it is not possible to give an exact indication of when capacity would be reached, as that depends upon demand, the council would like to reach a positive position within the next 12 months to help protect this service.

“Undertaking ground investigations is the first step in considering whether any location may have potential as a new burial site.This initial work will run until Autumn, and if the ground is not suitable for such purpose the process would then stop.

“No decision to proceed will be made without considering all the opportunities, impacts and risks presented and without going through the proper planning determination process with the opportunity for comment from residents, statutory bodies and any other interested parties.”

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below...