Fears over parks spurs action call

A campaigner is calling for the creation of a pressure group to see off any plans to develop the borough's parks.

Cllr Karen Chilvers, former lead campaigner in the Save Thorndon Park campaign, wants a Friends of Brentwood Country Parks group to be set up.

Her call follows the ditched plans for a Go Ape venture in Thorndon Country Park.

Critics argued that if given the go-ahead the plans for a high ropes adventure course would have paved the way for further destructive commercial development in the park.

Cllr Chilvers said: "With the council about to enter into an agreement to jointly run the country parks we need to remind the administration that users really do not want the nature of the parks to change and the charm and beauty are important.

"A new management arrangement must ensure that it is properly funded and that the temptation of entering into commercial arrangements to balance the books is avoided.

"We need to be very clear that the local stakeholders must include the hundreds of people who campaigned against the commercialisation of their park.

"For this reason, there needs to be an identified and dedicated group of park users who are consulted on a regular basis and setting up a Friends of Brentwood Country Parks group seems a logical way forward."

Councillors will meet tonight (Wednesday) to discuss setting up a joint committee between the county council and Brentwood council to manage and operate the borough's country parks.

Council officers believe the joint body would be more efficient and cost-effective and result in "increased public satisfaction with country parks and natural open spaces in Brentwood".

If approved, the arrangement would operate from the end of September.