Leading pressure-group the Open Spaces Society(1) has added its support to the Rumney Recreation and Eastern Leisure Centre Action Group (RREEL Action Group),(2) which is fighting a decision to build a new school on parkland known as the Rumney Recreation Ground in east Cardiff.

The recreation ground, which is central to the communities of the greater Rumney area, is surrounded by hundreds of established

trees, and is a vital urban lung. The benefits it brings to local people, for recreation and refreshment, cannot be overstated.

Cardiff City Council argues that the ground is required to replace two schools that have substantial buildings defects. It also claims that the sale of the released school land will return revenue vital to its citywide programme of schools reorganisation.

The RREEL Action Group broadly supports the council's educational initiative but opposes school building on the parkland.

Group chairman Mr Don Taylor said: ‘This open space has, for more than a century, been a cohesive centre of social and sporting heritage.

‘We have been exposing the weaknesses of this building scheme for the last two years. A local community poll held last February overwhelmingly demonstrated that local communities reject any building work on this treasured parkland.

‘We feel that the council has been manipulative, failing accurately to report the views of school governors and other key stakeholders, while precluding consultation on viable alternative options.'

The Open Spaces Society's case officer, Nicola Hodgson, confirmed: ‘Open spaces in urban areas are especially precious, and we are concerned at the council's apparent lack of regard for the value which local people place on their recreational spaces. We are dismayed that there has not been full and proper consultation on the council's plans.'

Jane Hutt AM, Welsh Assembly Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, is now considering a report by Cardiff City Council in response to the many objections to the council's statutory notices of intent.

Although the Minister must determine the issue on the basis of educational factors, the outcome may well include an evaluation of social and environmental issues.

Several locations within greater Rumney community have been listed on the Welsh Index of Social Deprivation as being among the foremost socially-deprived areas within the principality. These areas contain the homes of people, especially children, who will lose most if this public open space is taken for building development.

Says Nicola: ‘The Open Spaces Society stands behind the RREEL Action Group and its campaign to preserve the heritage and unique environment of Rumney Recreation Ground.'

Notes:

1. The Open Spaces Society (formally the Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society) was founded in 1865 and is Britain's oldest national conservation body. It campaigns to protect common land, village greens, open spaces and public paths, and people's right to enjoy them.

2. RREEL Action Group was formed in August 2007 following widespread public concern over the proposal to build a secondary school on Rumney Recreation Grounds. A non-political local pressure group, Rumney Recreation & Eastern Leisure Centre Action Group (‘RREEL') was constituted to address the issues arising from Cardiff City Council's proposals. Local residents and members of the wider community have been campaigning vigorously for the past two years to save and protect this historic, open parkland, playing fields and trees. See its website: http://rreelactiongroup.webs.com/.