What representations have you made to Wandsworth Council or the forthcoming public enquiry into Wandsworth’s plans to effectively privatise parts of Tooting Common with a commercial sports facility that will see parts of the common fenced off unless you pay to use it?

My London Plan requires green and open spaces to be protected and enhanced. Policy G3 sets out criteria for the assessment of proposals on Metropolitan Open Land, a designation that applies to Tooting Common. Boroughs, as the Local Planning Authority, are required to consider these policies in their determination of planning applications.

Unless a proposal meets the thresholds for referral to the Mayor, I have no power to intervene. As this case did not meet the threshold for ‘potential strategic importance’ for Metropolitan Open Land (set out by the Mayor of London Order 2008) I have had no direct involvement in this case. However, I engage regularly with Boroughs regarding the importance of enhancing green spaces and support the greening of London through programmes such as Grow Back Greener, Green and Resilient Spaces, and the Rewild London Fund.