Save Wood Lane is a community group in Louth, Lincolnshire. We formed to prevent East Lindsey District Council from destroying our last remaining public playing field. 

East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) are the worst performing district council in England (164th out of 164) with regard to providing green space within 10 minutes walk for residents. 36% of people do not have a large green space, such as a playing field, within 10 minutes walk, and now ELDC have applied to dig up the last remaining playing field in Louth, to replace it with artificial turf, fence it off and privatise it. On top of this, they have applied to fell 10 trees to create a larger car park.

Having researched hundreds of similar projects, we are yet to find one which has resulted in the loss of the entirety of the green space in any given location. Two of the adjacent areas in Louth (one of which has high levels of deprivation) only have 1 sqm of green space per person, while the minimum standard of green space provision is 24 sqm per person. To make things worse, ELDC own a field on the outskirts of Louth which previously had planning permission for a football stadium. This would leave Wood Lane Playing Field as a green space for all to use. We believe Louth needs improved football facilities but these should never result in increased deprivation within any location.

Wood Lane Playing Field was acquired by ELDC in 1972 ( but no proof or deeds exist) and it has been a vital amenity for much longer than this, providing everyone with a place to relax, socialise and exercise for free. 

With your help, we believe we can protect our playing field for future generations, and in doing so, protect the physical and mental health of thousands of residents in our town. We hope our case will set a precedent to deter local councils from attempting to reduce green space when the national target is to increase it, thus helping to protect green space everywhere.

ELDC's own environmental health team have objected to the application but they are now trying to find a way around this to get it approved. In order to prevent the council from approving their own application, and depriving residents of yet another green space, we must raise the money to apply for a judicial review. 

We need your support to protect our special playing field: please contribute and share this page now! Please help us to reach our target and stop ELDC!

Thank you very much

Save Wood Lane