Personally, I think it is rather a miracle this sports ground has survived at all, when hundreds have been built over. The alternative is not between a lovely green space and a modern sports ground, but between a modern sports ground and development.

I also think that King's College consultation with local residents has been exemplary, their willingness to abandon the houses they planned in Stillness Road admirable (when there's a gap there waiting to be filled) and their plans for the ground well thought-out. I accept that the floodlights may occasionally be tiresome but life's imperfect.

Ever since I've lived in HOP (since 2004) I've been puzzled by the opposition to this project. Truth is we're lucky to have this sports ground and luckier still that it's not being allowed to decay untill building over it would be the only option.