Sutton playground green light leaves butterflies blue

A play area on Devonshire Rec - one of the few London habitats for the small blue butterfly - has been welcomed by parents and children.

Plans for the site, on Devonshire Avenue in Sutton, threatened to be scuppered last year when environmental campaigners voiced their concerns for the blue butterfly population.

But chairman of the Sutton South, Cheam and Belmont Local Committee Councillor Tony Shields argued that the play facility was essential for young people.

He said: "Half of the children who go to Devonshire Primary School have no access to play space. It's really good to finally get the equipment in and give the kids somewhere to play."

At the beginning of last year, Sutton Council environmental officers, who in a report to a council committee said the playground should be "a last resort" because "there is a risk the habitat could deteriorate to the extent that the species may be lost".

However, Sutton Nature Conservation Volunteers (SNCV), which had voiced concerns over the playground last year, have conceded defeat but say it is happy with the outcome.

SNCV Chairwoman Joanne Porter, said: "The forthcoming nature trial and replacement orchard planting all add up to what should be a positive improvement to the site, for both the wildlife and for local residents."

"However, we hope that this is the last and only statutorily designated Local Nature Reserve in Sutton that has this sort of development taking place on it.

"We should all value that nature that lives in Sutton - after all, the area of the borough given over to protecting our valuable natural resources is extremely small and vulnerable."

Mr Shields said: "It is always really good to get something that has been promised as an election manifesto pledge actually delivered for people, both at Sutton Court and Devonshire rec the Sutton South Neighbourhood association were key in accessing funding from the Viridor thus saving a good chunk of public money, great thanks to them."