Still no progress on Queen Elizabeth II park plan for 9 Acre field

Councillors appear to be in the dark over the future of the 9 Acre field, with the blame being passed from political leadership to council officers on why there has been no movement.

A year ago a controversial application to use the field as the home of a new St Mary’s primary school were thrown out by the local planning committee in an extraordinary meeting. Executive Board member and Lead member for education Cllr Phil Wynn failed in his attempt to secure the field as a site for the school despite a last minute intervention including a now infamous 25 point list. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Following that the back in September it was announced the 9 Acre would become a “Queen Elizabeth II” named park, with a report due to the Executive Board in 2022 to that aim – however due to red tape that has not happened.

Responding to fresh criticism of the delay, Council Leader Mark Pritchard has put the blame at the door of council officers.

Councillor Becca Martin, who represents the Acton and Maesydre ward, said the fencing off of the Nine-Acre Field on Chester Road had been a long-standing source of frustration for neighbouring residents.

She said it was “totally unacceptable” that the field had not been made available for community use – both for sports teams and more general relaxation and leisure activities – and that the council’s ruling coalition had made grandiose statements about the field without following through.

Cllr Martin said: “Talk is cheap and there was a lot of talk about opening up the Nine-Acre field after the planning application was rejected. It’s been almost a year now since the planning application for St Mary’s was rejected and the council leadership made the announcement that the Nine-Acre would be made a public open space. Nearly 12 months later and residents are still none the wiser in respect of what is happening and what is going to happen. I’m regularly being asked by residents what is happening and I have to tell them I don’t know. Despite repeatedly raising it with the council leader, I have yet to receive a proper answer explaining what they’ve got planned. This lack of communication, avoidance and silence from the council leadership to residents and local members is totally unacceptable and needs to stop.”

She said youngsters were scaling the palisade fencing to play football and youth football teams were unable to play on the site despite a shortage of playing fields in the area.

She added: “Local residents have plans to improve this important green space in our community. We want to see it used for all ages and for the council to start a dialogue on what the Nine-Acre Field could become. Our message to the council is – don’t ignore us, talk to us and let’s unlock the potential of the Nine-Acre Field.”

We put the comments to the Council Leader Mark Pritchard, who rejected criticism of his leadership and pointed blame at officers, “I am as frustrated and disappointed as the local member on the lack of progress on this, and I have continually asked relevant officers to move this forward and to update the local member.

“I am not aware of any details regarding a wildflower meadows, or an additional gate for public access on the site.

“As it is an operational matter, I would ask the local member contact Head of Paid Services Ian Bancroft to confirm the position on Nine Acre.”