THE AREA OF HYDE PARK NEEDS A MULTIPURPOSE, INDOOR SPORTS FACILITY FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR AREA. THE FORMER ROYAL PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE WOULD BE IDEAL FOR SUCH A FACILITY. WE OPPOSE PLANS BY THE LOCAL COUNCIL TO DEVELOP THE SITE INTO A GARDEN OR PARK

Dear LEEDS CITY COUNCIL,,

We the undersigned would like to bring to your attention something that we believe is unfair and requires attention.

We have been campaigning for some years now to get some sort of community indoor sports facility in the area, which could be used by the local schools and wider community day and night.

There is a perfect site which has lain derelict for many years now, right in the heart of the community, namely the FORMER ROYAL PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL SITE (QUEENS ROAD, LS6 1NY).

The site presently is an eye sore, right in the heart of the community.

We as a community have expressed our opposition to make the site into a garden or park at a cost of £500,000 of local tax payer’s money. We are also opposed to this suggestion as we already have 4 other parks nearby all within walking distance.

This sports facility would really benefit everybody in the area, create jobs, bring different ethnic and religious groups together, aid in community cohesion and help fight obesity and other health related issues that our youngsters and elders face.

For example what we envisage is a complex where students and locals can play some competitive sports together.

Where students living in the area can interact, teach, mix in with the local community and foster a greater understanding of each other through sports.

Also where all the different religious, ethnic, age groups that reside in the area can get together and act like a true community through the sports platform.

According to the NHS website,

One in four British adults is obese, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, prompting fears that the UK has become the "fat man of Europe".

The UK has the highest level of obesity in Western Europe, ahead of countries such as France, Germany, Spain and Sweden, the 2013 report says.

Obesity levels in the UK have more than trebled in the last 30 years and, on current estimates, more than half the population could be obese by 2050.

Europe's obesity league:

• UK: 24.9%


• Ireland: 24.5%


• Spain: 24.1%


• Portugal: 21.6%


• Germany: 21.3%


• Belgium: 19.1%


• Austria: 18.3%


• Italy: 17.2%


• Sweden: 16.6%


• France: 15.6%

Source: The State of Food and Agriculture 2013 (PDF, 2.44Mb), United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization.

and also on leeds.gov.uk SPORTS LEEDS

‘ Leeds has major challenges with health inequalities increasing. The health cost of inactivity estimated to cost the city £10.1m per annum with particular correlations between levels of inactivity and obesity and distinct inequalities in participation in different areas of the city. Reducing these health inequalities is a major priority within the city and sport and active lifestyles can contribute. '

'Local: − The Vision for Leeds 2011 to 2030 sets out the long term ambition and aspirations for the city with an overarching vision for 2030 that Leeds will be the best city in the UK. There are a number of areas in which this strategy can contribute to being the ‘Best city’, including: − supporting a child-friendly city where children will choose healthy lifestyles Leeds Sport and Active Lifestyles Strategy Page 3 − being the best city for health and wellbeing helping people live longer and have healthier lives and ensure that inequalities in health are reduced − being the best city to live where people enjoy world class culture, sport, leisure and entertainment. − this strategy can also help to grow a strong reputation for Leeds nationally and internationally, building on the excellent reputation and international profile of the universities, sporting facilities and teams. '

AND ALSO

'Summary – implications for Sport and Active Lifestyles in Leeds?

1. Leeds provides a tale of two cities with significant participation and health inequalities between the north and south of the city. Addressing these health inequalities is a key strategic priority for the city.

2. There is a strong political will to ensure that the platform laid by London 2012 is built upon to bring sustained benefits for sport and active lifestyles. There is an opportunity for Leeds to take a leading role in demonstrating how these benefits can be realised at a local level.

3. There is a national focus on helping the inactive to become active with the primary outcome measure for Sport England to see an increase in the proportion of people playing sport and active recreation once a week for at least 30 minutes.

 4. There is a particular focus on raising the proportion of 14-25 year olds playing sport and developing a habit for life, addressing challenges of young people dropping out of sport'

Source 

Leeds Sport and Active Lifestyles Strategy.

http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/documents/s99327/Strategy

We the undersigned feel that our community area is lacking such a facility to aid in addressing young people playing sports and developing a positive habit of life. Consequently, having the proposed sports facility in place would tie in perfectly with the above strategy. We therefore believe that the former Royal Park Middle School would be most beneficial and an ideal site for an indoor multipurpose sports facility that the local community is in dire need of.

In this way, for the health and welfare of the local community we are kindly asking Leeds City Council to provide the much needed and anticipated sports facility.   

Please listen to the local community and provide a much needed sports facility at the site.

Thank you

Sincerely,

M H YAQUB