Alternative plans for Hendon FC land unveiled (From Times Series)

Alternative plans for Hendon FC land unveiled

5:31pm Wednesday 24th March 2004 in

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One of the most strident campaigners against the plans to build houses on Hendon Football Club land has proposed a new, more ambitious, strategy to preserve the area.

Dorothy Badrick, one-time chairwoman of the Claremont and Clitterhouse Committee, wants to bid for £7million to transform the borough's sports provision, and even bring it up to Olympic standard.

As one of the founder members of a new charity, UK Open Space Foundation (UKOSF), Ms Badrick, of Cotswold Gardens, Cricklewood, believes Cricklewood can win a share of a £14m pot of National Opportunites Fund money available for London through Active England, an offshoot of Sport England, to build new stadiums, sports pitches, leisure spaces and cafes.

She said: "With the regeneration of Cricklewood going ahead, we can work alongside that, and who knows, we may be able to build a stadium with cinemas and cafes underneath on Hendon FC land, which could be up to scratch, if it comes to it, to being part of an Olympic bid."

And UKOSF is putting together a bid, which has to be in by March 31, to apply for up to half of the cash.

Ms Badrick said: "Active England are targeting the 20 poorest wards in the country, and we want to point out that areas like Barnet lose out because, although they are wealthy, there are pockets of deprivation."

She explained that plans so far included a sunken garden for Tai Chi and Yoga in Basing Hill Park, off Hendon Way, and a skate park with climbing walls and an adventure assault course for Clarefield Park, off Claremont Road.

All-weather pitches and internet cafes are planned for both the Hendon FC site and for Brook Farm playing fields in Barnet, which the charity is calling the Underhill Site.

Audit figures released at a cabinet meeting on Monday show that the council has a backlog of more than £2m-worth of repairs to carry out on the borough's green spaces.

This includes draining fields and removing dangerous weeds.

Plans for a multi-million pound basketball arena for the London Towers, off Claremont Road, have also had to be put on hold because of a lack of funds.

UKOSF needs the council's stamp of approval before it can enter its bid for cash next week.

However, the scheme would not rely on any council money.

Ms Badrick said: "This is the perfect time for us to act. We are happy to work with any organisation to ensure the area is provided for."