Update on Friends of The Field Survey

Below is an update from Cevn Vibert, chairman of the Friends of the Field, on the survey being carried out of local people's views on the future of the former Civil Service Sports Ground.

Jeremy


Not all the forms we delivered are back in for collation but here is a sample of our survey so far.

Survey Choices (1st - 4th place choices):
67% wanted 100% Open Space and Community Use as 1st Choice
52% wanted A Community Hub as 2nd Choice
54% wanted A School merger as 3rd Choice
60% wanted Housing Development as 4th Choice
15% were strongly against any housing development

When asked if they were prepared to lose any space:
59% wanted zero housing development
25% would accept up to 25% housing (some only if it would benefit the community)
11% would accept some other percentages (higher and lower)

Comments verbatim from Survey:-
- A community hub would perhaps stop youngsters roaming the streets through boredom and perhaps it could be a place for families to do things together
- A lot of potential for a community centre for everyone, It will keep youths off the street causing trouble - get them doing sports etc!!
- Answers leaning towards youth but if youth club built times could be set aside for OAPs during daytime hours
- Anything would be an improvement on the present situation
- As the field is large and flat, thought should be given to entrance points (at least two), pathways (perimeter + within), lighting, boundary security (for neighbouring properties)
- Both my children will go through St Marks School, one is currently there. - They need somewhere for sports, athletics etc.
- Children need a play area; adults need a green space to stroll
- Children, teenagers and adults need this space more than private houses with more children and nowhere to play. Play areas are in short supply
- Good Community publicity and fun involvement always gains support
- How absurd even to have to debate this - the St Marks School and any other school/children clubs NEED outdoor space far more than we need housing development
- I am fed up seeing flats being built on every piece of land in this city and need to fight to keep as many natural fields as they are without building on them
- I am strongly opposed to any housing provision on this area
- I feel this should be used as a sports facility for all the community
- I really disagree with this field being built on. This green open space is needed for the school and the community
- I strongly object to the land being used for housing development.
- I think it would be a good idea to do football
- I think that every available space is being taken for house building. I find this very disappointing, even though we need housing.
- I think the future generations are going to need every square inch of space and sturdy trees
- I think there is enough building taking place in Shirley at present leave this lovely green space alone
- I would like a casual space like this on a weekend, open to all for these sorts of things (tables, clothes, rails etc.) Car Boot, Craft sales on Saturday all day 8 - 5
- I would like to see it as more of an area that you would want to stroll around with the opportunity to engage/watch sport
- IF pay and play - not membership
- Indoor sports/gym would increase the number of adults using the area, in addition to sports pitches and outdoor facilities
- It is important to keep it for children’s use
- It is vital to keep this area for the school/community. I do NOT want it developed for housing at all
- It might be good to have a small community centre in place that could act as a base for outdoor activities
- It would be a callous use of land if built on. This community needs more spaces for leisure activities
- It is hardly a campaign to "save" the field when nobody has been able to use it for so many years!
- Just leave some a green area with some indoor venue
- My sister attends st marks and enjoys using the field and I hope to
- Once lost forever lost - what about our kids fitness and future
- Open Spaces in towns are so precious - Do not lose this one!!
- Loads of Grandchildren who would use this one
- Please could we keep this a dog free area?
- Please do not let Bovis homes win, we are fed up of them building flats in every space they find
- Please keep the green spaces - once you have left them to housing/building development - it is gone forever
- Safe local facilities which our teenagers and younger get to on foot or bike with staff on site
- Sense of community needs to be reinforced; more homes would not enable this to happen, what about infrastructure needed? Doctors, utilities, etc
- Southampton needs some open spaces
- The area is one of the few in a highly populated area. It is an oasis for children + adults. For school and homes, possibly for all
- The building should be designed for people to come communicate and should have a kitchen facility where people can use for parties, have a set fee for use, bar, creche
- The character of the area is changing, not for the better. Overdeveloped, no parking, no green space - we need green areas for all ages to develop healthily
- The community is crying out for an area for children to play especially older kids to reduce boredom which leads to antisocial behaviour
- The exceptionally high rate of building within this suburb needs green space for the residents to access and enjoy
- The Field should stay as is
- The field should stay green.
- The infrastructure will not support access to housing
- The last thing we need are more blocks of flats
- The space should be maintained as an open space with a strong focus on the young
- There are few areas where children can play safely locally - this would be an ideal site
- There is already far too much housing development in the area.
- Children (young) are forced to play in the street outside our house. This is unsafe
- There is enough in filling development in Southampton. Essential to preserve some green space
- There is nowhere for older people to relax in, it would be nice to see a seated area, plus children play area
- This is a densely populated area, small children and teenage need outdoor play space
- This is a green lung for this area we must look 100% at saving it - a park would be fantastic.
- This is a valuable piece of green
- To much land is used to build housing, although needed, so are leisure facilities.

Indoor Activities listed:-
A Youth club for older children would be great, including basketball, squash, badminton, pool, etc
Any activity which would be acceptable to the residents living in very close proximity to the field
Any sports, parent meetings, etc.
Anything that would be useful for the community sports leisure
Badminton
Badminton, basketball
Badminton, squash courts, etc
Badminton, squash, kiddies club, gym tots, bar, cafe
Badminton, tennis, community events
Ball pool, ice rink/roller rink, climbing walls
Bowls, Keep Fit, Netball, Basketball, Judo
Bowls, rounders, cricket
But I think there should be an area indoors
changing facilities, social club
Childrens playgroups etc
Club House, Toilets, Changing Facilities
Community Buildings for groups
Community centre
Community centre, activity centre for the public
Community for children of all ages
Community sports
Community use, adult education and family education, social events, a meeting place for mums & dads with young children, a cafe
connected to community activities e.g. Youth club, OAP drop in centre, mother and baby club, etc
Cricket and football
Don’t mind
Five aside football, badminton, basketball, sponge pit for tumble tots - mothers get together
Football
Football or tennis or snooker or badminton or boxing
Football, badminton, youth club
Football, basketball, tennis, etc.
Football, bowling
Gym / Indoor Sports, Adult Education
Gym, Indoor Tennis, Any other type of sport
Gym, Indoor Tennis, Any other type of sport
Gymnastics
Ice skating
Indoor Sports / Community Centre
Indoor sports/rec
Indoor Swimming Pool
Leisure for teens
None
Playing games
Possible sports hall which school and community can use?
Possibly a Sports Hall
Provision for young people e.g. Table tennis, snooker, indoor 5-a-side style games
School Sports Day
Similar to Oaklands
Skating Rink
Small sports hall for basketball/badminton/five-a-side football
Snooker, dance, general things lads and young people are interested in
Sport and leisure facilities or school buildings
Sports
Sports
Sports and an after school club or any community use
Sports and archery
Sports and community activities
Sports and social for area
Sports Centre
Sports facilities
Sports Hall
Sports hall
Sports Hall
Sports hall
Sports Hall, ideally including a swimming pool
Sports like swimming for ladies
Sports or youth club for younger people
Sports such as badminton, table tennis, gym
Sports, community classes
Sports, Community Events
Sports, music, community groups
Sports, youth activities
Sports, Youth Club Coffee Bar, Juke Box
Sports/music hall
Squash
Squash and bar
Swimming pool, gym, amateur dramatics, disco
Swimming pool, gym, amateur dramatics, disco
table tennis, pool, etc
Table tennis, gymnastics
Table tennis, squash, gym, gymnastics, childrens activities
Tennis and squash
Tennis, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Gymnastic
Tennis, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Gymnastic
Those that can be enjoyed by the whole community - not just sporting or keep fit activities
Toilets, Facilities for car boot, etc
Use buildings as changing rooms for schools + toilets
Youth centre for teenagers - indoor sports
Youth Centre, Sports Hall,
Youth club, community centre
Youth club, basketball, pool, indoor football, squash courts, meeting rooms for clubs, keep fit

Outdoor Activities listed:-
Across the sporting board, with in-situ equipment such as goal posts that can be adapted for a multitude of sports
All Sports
All sports i.e. Football, cricket
All sports, including tennis, adventure playground, and death slide, etc! A ball pit for young children
Along the lines of what is used for already - school, community, etc
Any for children
Any games or sports
Any sports facilities
Anything for sports
Anything that would be useful for the community sports leisure
Athletics, Car Boot Sales, Funfairs, BMX/Mountain Bike Track, Skateboard Ramps, Permanent Football Goals
Athletics, cricket, football, etc
Athletics, skating
Basketball, football
Basketball, football
Bowls, rounders, cricket, tennis
childrens play area with swings, etc
Childrens Play area, football, rugby, cricket
Childrens play area, wildlife are/environmental studies
Community & school & sports
Community Activities
Community Gardens/Park Running Track, Nature Area, Playground, Activity Area, Dog Walking
Community tennis courts, real football goals, not a playground
Cricket
Cricket, football
Cricket, Football, Bowls, Croquet
Cricket, hockey, tennis, running track
Encourage football. Put safety net around the perimeter for other casual sports Build roller board facility (to keep kids off streets). At weekends for adult sales, car boot, craft fayres to fund facility
Football
Football
Football
Football
Football
Football etc
Football field, sports training ground, netball, hockey, basketball
Football in winter, Running Track (summer), plus swings etc. for younger children
Football or rugby or tennis or golf or pitch & putt or crazy golf or skateboarding
Football pitch (suitable for cricket in summer) & childrens playground (toddlers to early teens) + tree planting + landscaped gardens
Football, basketball
Football, basketball, cricket
Football, basketball, volley ball
Football, benchball, dodgeball
Football, Cricket & Bowling Green
Football, cricket, and an outdoor play facility for younger children
Football, Cricket, Athletics, Rugby
Football, Cricket, Bowls, Tennis, Schools Sports Day, Community Fairs
Football, Cricket, Bowls, Tennis, Schools Sports Day, Community Fairs
Football, Cricket, Climbing Frames
Football, cricket, netball, athletics, tennis, use for St Marks outdoor activities
Football, cricket, rugby, rounders, athletics, tennis, fetes
Football, Cricket, Running Track, Play Area for small children
Football, cricket, swings
Football, etc
Football, Hockey
Football, Hockey, Basketball, Netball
Football, netball, tennis, cricket, athletics, skateboard park, BMX track, childrens adventure playground
Football, play area, tennis
Football, Race Track, Rounders, netball, open days (car boot)
Football, rugby
Football, rugby, cricket, tennis
Football, rugby, tennis, rounders, cricket, play areas, outdoor gym, equipment i.e. wooden bars, etc, landscape area + seating
Football, sports days
Football, tennis courts, cricket
Football, tennis, athletics, etc, kids play area
Football, tennis, basketball, pool
Football, tennis, cricket
Football, Tennis, Rugby, Hockey, Bowls, Track/Field
Football, swimming pool, sports facilities, running tracks, etc
Football/basketball
Fundays, football, school pe
Games, a fitness course (as one has been removed from common)
General sport, e.g. Tennis, rugby, football
Hide and football, football, sports day
Hockey, Netball, Athletics, Football, Tennis
Netball, hockey
Netball, hockey
Outdoor games football, tennis, hockey, etc
Park
Park, Playground, Public Sports, Cycling Track
Pitches for rounders, cricket, football, etc, tennis
Recreation, sports, children playground
rounders
rounders, cricket, tennis
Rounders, cricket, tennis
rounders, tennis
Running Track, football, tennis, field sports
Running track, garden type space, open field, natural but some walking space
Running track, paths + plants
Running, rounders and football
School can use these facilities
School PE use. Any outdoor Activities that children need
School Sport, possibly open to the general public (after school hours)
School sports use
School sports, football, rounders, athletics etc.
Small area of childrens playground - swings slide climbing frame etc
Sport
Sport - football, tennis, most import this is a childrens park
Sport, recreation
Sporting
Sporting
Sports
Sports
Sports
Sports
Sports
Sports
Sports
Sports
Sports activities
Sports and recreation, community outdoor activities
Sports and special events i.e. charity events
Sports community events
Sports or youth club for younger people
Sports pitches, open space for community use, dog walking
Sports, athletics, football, cricket, tennis, etc
Sports, Athletics, Games, Children Playground (safe)
Sports, community activities
Sports, community events
Sports, Football, Training
Sports, leisure facilities for community groups
Sports, particularly for young people
Sports, playground, nature pool
Sports, swings, etc
Sports, Swings/Slides
Sports, tennis maybe, all sports
Swimming pool, tennis courts, football
Tennis, cricket, football
Tennis, cycling
Tennis, Football
Tennis, football
Tennis, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Gymnastic
Tennis, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Gymnastic
Tennis, Walking Area, Green Play Area
Those that can be enjoyed by the whole community - not just sporting or keep fit activities
Various sports, boot sales, community functions
Walking, Jogging, Cricket, Cycle Track, Football, Tennis, Outward Bound type assault course for children/adults