Once again there is a proposal to develop the LESSA sports ground in Grand Drive, Raynes Park.

This is good news for Merton as 98 new flats mean 98 extra council taxes. Why else would Merton contemplate flats up to four storeys high, not in keeping with the local area and adjoining the floodplain too?

Grand Drive is already choked with traffic and green space would be lost when the disposal of playing fields is actively discouraged.

The time has come for a vigorous debate on the future of our sports grounds.

It is all very well blaming our youth for antisocial behaviour, or worrying about the drain on the NHS from obesity, heart disease and mental illness, when we seem to place sports provision in such low regard.

When Tesco opened its superstore in 1987 a pavilion was built for use by Bushey Middle School and the local community, but shamefully it was allowed to fall into disrepair.

Local residents would prefer to see sports grounds maintained for school sports rather than new housing in a densely populated area, but this requires commitment.

You only have to look at the success of the new Astro turf at Raynes Park High School to see what a well managed amenity can do for a community. But does the council have the guts to say no to further housing and yes to better leisure facilities?

Rosemary Lever

Westway

Raynes Park