Dedicated community groups collaborate to preserve the future of the Greenwich Equestrian Centre amidst uncertainty.
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The future of the Greenwich Equestrian Centre in South London is under threat as local authorities contemplate its sale. This decision by Greenwich Council aims to address a growing financial shortfall but has sparked protests from community members dedicated to preserving the facility for public use.
Once a vibrant hub for equestrian activities, the centre’s closure earlier this year raised concerns among residents about its fate. Campaigners, including Dr. Barry Gray from the Woodlands Farm Trust, have emerged as strong advocates for the site, highlighting its importance as a community asset and its unique ecological value.
Community rallying for change
Dr. Gray recently presented a petition with over 3,500 signatures at a council meeting, voicing his dismay at the proposal to sell the centre. He argued that the facility, established only 12 years ago, warrants protection due to its status as an Olympic legacy project and its designation as a Site of Metropolitan Importance for ecological and natural significance.
Local businesswoman and former user of the equestrian centre, Tao Baker, has also played a crucial role in the campaign. She emphasized the centre’s unique position as the only rehabilitation facility for horses in the UK, which could provide additional revenue opportunities for the borough.
Obstacles faced by campaigners
The campaign encountered a setback when the council declined their application to designate the equestrian centre as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). This designation would have allowed the community first refusal if the site were to be sold. Dr. Gray criticized the council’s refusal, arguing that it was based on flawed reasoning and lacked sufficient legal justification.
Despite this setback, the campaigners remain undeterred. They have initiated informal discussions with the council about the possibility of a community-led purchase of the site, a move Dr. Gray welcomed as progress. He expressed optimism that, with time and community support, they could develop a viable plan for the centre’s future.
Local leaders support the campaign
Opposition leader Cllr. Matt Hartley expressed his support for the campaigners, stating that few sites in the borough deserve community protection more than the equestrian centre and Woodlands Farm. He urged the council to allow adequate time for residents to formulate a comprehensive proposal for the site’s future.
Cllr. Tamasin Rhymes, who campaigned on a platform to save the equestrian centre, echoed Hartley’s sentiments, describing it as an absolute gem of a facility. She emphasized the community’s investment in the site and the potential consequences of its loss.
Looking ahead
In response to community concerns, Cllr. Majid Rahman, the Cabinet Member for Planning, acknowledged the importance of engaging with residents. He expressed a willingness to explore the possibility of selling the equestrian centre to community groups, although he noted that no decisions had been made regarding the site’s future.
As discussions progress, Baker and other activists remain hopeful about securing the necessary funding to purchase the site. They have reached out to various national charities, including Farms for City Children, to explore potential partnerships aimed at sustaining the equestrian centre’s legacy as a community space.
Once a vibrant hub for equestrian activities, the centre’s closure earlier this year raised concerns among residents about its fate. Campaigners, including Dr. Barry Gray from the Woodlands Farm Trust, have emerged as strong advocates for the site, highlighting its importance as a community asset and its unique ecological value.0
