In recent months CREOS became aware of a plan by Highgate Wood School to start re-using its Playing Field (off Montenotte Road) for a range of sporting activities. Accordingly we initiated an active dialogue with the school regarding these proposals. Two of the sports clubs on Shepherds Cot (Highgate Cricket & Lawn Tennis Club and North London Cricket Club) have drawn up plans for a facility for the school that they would also utilize when not required by the school. As a result of our involvement some important modifications have already been negotiated.
We are grateful to the Headteacher of Highgate Wood School, Patrick Cozier, for outlining the proposed scheme at our recent AGM in May. (You will find a copy of his presentation here>>) Essentially the idea is to create a cricket pitch at the centre of the field. In summer there will be a running track that goes around the cricket pitch, and in winter there will be two football pitches (less than full-size) either side of the cricket square. A new path will be created from the North London CC car park up to the field.
By necessity the playing area will be fenced off and not accessible to the general public. However we have persuaded the school of the importance of retaining a footway between Montenotte Road and Wood Vale and this has been incorporated in the plans. We have also ensured that the hedgerow between the allotments and the school field will be mostly retained. In addition a portion of the field at the western end (where we have our wildflower meadow and copse) will remain open to the public. Furthermore the school has stated that there will be no additional buildings and no floodlighting.
Obviously this will be disappointing news for some of those who currently use the field for recreation, but it will bring the field back into sports use (for which it was originally used) and will provide much needed facilities for Highgate Wood School. We are pleased that the school has listened to our representations and modified their plans accordingly.
