Tooting Common neighbours hail their David vs Goliath victory over developers

Residents have celebrated the successful overturning of plans to create a commercial football facility on much-loved communal space on Tooting Common. 

Developers planned to enclose the existing football pitch on the Tooting Common Triangle and build five pay-to-play synthetic pitches.

The proposal was originally approved by Wandsworth council during the Covid-19 lockdown. 

But many residents were opposed, with more than 10,000 people signing protest petitions, as well as 1,000 official objections.  

The proposal went to a public inquiry, which led to a ruling against the plans on November 30. 

More than 50 people gave evidence at the inquiry, including Alice Roberts, the head of Green Space Campaigns.

Residents put their case without legal representation, while the developer was represented by a leading QC and experienced council planning officers. 

After almost six months of deliberation, Inspector Richard Perrins ruled the development would be an ‘alien feature in the landscape,’ which would prevent informal recreation.

He agreed that the existing site was ‘a much-needed and well-used communal, informal recreation playground and social space’. 

He said: “The development would introduce a great deal of noise and disturbance across a wider area of the common, and prevent a large number of existing users of the common from using it in the way that they are used to.” 

Fencing would seal off parts of the common which are open today, he said, and threaten ‘an almost village green-like ambience’.

Organiser Ben Jackson, who began the campaign after delivering fliers to nearby homes, said: ‘This has been a David v Goliath battle from start to finish, with dozens of residents working together over three years through times when we had very little help or support, and little hope of a positive outcome. 

“It’s a victory that preserves the important principle of retaining access for all to Tooting Common and on other commons, and preserves the unique quality of commons as places that serve everyone.”  

In a statement on Twitter, developer TFC Leisure, which runs football and sports facilities, said it would now drop its interest in the project.

The statement said: “It is disappointing to report that the final decision by the Planning Inspectorate is to refuse our application to unlock the sporting opportunities for the young and vibrant community at the Tooting Triangle.

“As we now look to drop our interest in the project, we wanted to say thank you to those supporters who backed the project.

“We would also ask those same campaigners who objected will put as much effort into ensuring that the space doesn’t fall even further into disrepair.”

Wandsworth council has been approached for a comment.

Pictured top: Opponents of the football cages scheme were out in force – even during the snow spell – to voice opposition (Picture: Enrico Elson)