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Camden New Journal - by TOM FOOT
Published: 20 December 2007

Campaigners’ battle ends in victory

JUBILANT campaigners, who had battled to save a popular meadow in Regent’s Park from development, toasted victory this week and said: “We were right all along.”
About 100 protesters packed City Hall on Thursday to hear Westminster planning chiefs reject the Royal Parks Agency’s plans that would have seen more than 60 trees axed near London Zoo.
It was the end of a three-year, high-profile campaign backed by BBC broadcaster Sue MacGregor and former editor of The Times newspaper Sir Simon Jenkins, who played in the popular grove as a boy. He said: “It was a decision the council had to take. This is supposedly a public park and not a private drinking club.
“I hope they will reconsider the bid from the golf and tennis school. They owe it to them following the tragic events this week.”
The Royal Parks Agency and private operator Goals Soccer Centres wanted to build a car park, licensed bar and nine five-a-side pitches on four acres of popular wooded meadow.
But officials advised Westminster planning chiefs that the pitches would “damage the environment to an unacceptable degree”.
Malcolm Kafetz, chairman of 1,200-strong Friends of Regent’s Park who has led the fight against the plan for more than three years, said: “The enthusiasm of all our members and supporters and the fact that we were right all along has won through on the day. It was a David-and-Goliath battle. We were up against the Royal Parks, with huge financial resources, but we still won.”
Royal Parks is not expected to appeal and a spokesman said: “We need to consider our position in light of this decision before deciding on any further action.”
Goals Soccer Centres’ attempt to colonise a popular meadow known as Holford House drew more objections to Westminster Council planning officers than any other in living memory. At Thursday’s meeting Councillor Robert Davis, planning lead member, said: “We do need more facilities for young people and for older sportsman. This is not the right site.”

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