CAMPAIGNERS are calling on residents and local groups to join their fight against plans for sports development in Harlow Town Park.

An alliance of six concerned locals known as HOOP - Hands Off Our Park - has vowed to raise awareness of the consequences of building the £10 million complex and is urging others to support their cause.

The determined pressure group wants to protect the park's green spaces and persuade Harlow Council and developers to find an alternative site.

HOOP spokesman and Rivermill resident Dean Weston said: "We are not arguing against the need for new sports and leisure provision, but they should not be provided at the expense of the town park and other amenities. We have a perfectly adequate site which they could do up.

"These plans are something that belong to the past. The days of building on town parks are long gone. It's land that belongs to us all, not the people who can afford new sports facilities. It's a privatisation of public space."

Proposals launched by the Harlow Sports Partnership (Harlow College, Harlow Sports Trust, Harlow Recreation Trust) in February, would see a combined sports centre and swimming pool complex built on approximately 37 acres of Harlow Town Park's showground area.

They are the second set of plans to be submitted - the first was fiercely opposed by residents known as CAUSE (the Campaign Against the Unnecessary Sports Centre Expansion). These plans were retracted two years ago.

CAUSE members have helped to establish HOOP, and Harlow Civic Society, Harlow Town Park Users Group, and Friends of Pets Corner are amongst those which have expressed interest in joining the campaign.

Mr Weston claimed residents had not been told the consequences of the town park sports complex, which he said included losing the ski-slope, athletics provision, and a gymnasium.

He said: "The council has not been candid about the ramifications of the sports development."

In a bid to enlist maximum support for its campaign, HOOP is holding a public meeting on Wednesday, May 26, in Harlow Town Hall's Stavanger Room, at 8pm. It is also circulating a petition to oppose the plans.

Commenting on HOOP's concerns, a Harlow Council spokeswoman said: "We hope they will look at the full facts before they form a view.

"There will be a public consultation in the next couple of weeks and we will be offering speakers to talk to different groups. We hope they will listen before giving a knee-jerk reaction."

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