Plaid safeguarding local playing fields (From Tivyside Advertiser)

Plaid safeguarding local playing fields

11:34am Thursday 2nd July 2009

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A Plaid AM’s bid to create legislation to ensure that local authorities have a duty to consult communities before selling playing fields for development has been given a boost after gaining support at the Assembly. Dr Dai Lloyd AM’s motion has been welcomed by Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, Nerys Evans AM and Adam Price MP who say the motion could have major benefits for Carmarthenshire.

Dr Dai Lloyd said: "The support that my measure has received from playing fields campaigners from all over the country has made a real difference – the strength of feeling of local people and communities have won the day. If made law, my measure will enable true and meaningful consultation with the public, at a point in the process when the public can genuinely influence the decision."

Plaid AM Nerys Evans added: "This was a very important vote today and I’m very pleased with the outcome. Plaid recognises that playing fields are a valuable resource in our local communities. In an age when we are being encouraged to do more sport and physical exercise, playing fields offer a free and easy access to physical activity. They also give children somewhere to get together and kick a ball around which of course could cause a nuisance if done elsewhere. It is important that we do what we can to protect these resources for the communities of today and for future generations."

Adam Price MP: "Playing fields are vital community assets. They provide a place where children and adults alike can take part in free and healthy activities. They also offer a place where residents can come together as a community. This measure is incredibly important to communities fighting to save their playing fields."

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM further added: "This proposal will have major consequences for local people in Carmarthenshire who want to have greater interaction with the council about these decisions. It will also lead to greater safeguarding of playing fields which is vitally important."

A Plaid AM’s bid to create legislation to ensure that local authorities have a duty to consult communities before selling playing fields for development has been given a boost after gaining support at the Assembly. Dr Dai Lloyd AM’s motion has been welcomed by Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, Nerys Evans AM and Adam Price MP who say the motion could have major benefits for Carmarthenshire.

Dr Dai Lloyd said: "The support that my measure has received from playing fields campaigners from all over the country has made a real difference – the strength of feeling of local people and communities have won the day. If made law, my measure will enable true and meaningful consultation with the public, at a point in the process when the public can genuinely influence the decision."

Plaid AM Nerys Evans added: "This was a very important vote today and I’m very pleased with the outcome. Plaid recognises that playing fields are a valuable resource in our local communities. In an age when we are being encouraged to do more sport and physical exercise, playing fields offer a free and easy access to physical activity. They also give children somewhere to get together and kick a ball around which of course could cause a nuisance if done elsewhere. It is important that we do what we can to protect these resources for the communities of today and for future generations."

Adam Price MP: "Playing fields are vital community assets. They provide a place where children and adults alike can take part in free and healthy activities. They also offer a place where residents can come together as a community. This measure is incredibly important to communities fighting to save their playing fields."

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM further added: "This proposal will have major consequences for local people in Carmarthenshire who want to have greater interaction with the council about these decisions. It will also lead to greater safeguarding of playing fields which is vitally important."

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