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Dr Jacky McLeod, local GP and Public Health expert, speaking at the meeting.

'Environmental racism': council approves rubber crumb football pitch at Whitefoot Lane, Downham

Local GP and Public Health expert Jacky McLeod objected to the plan saying 'putting this kind of thing in an area, which in other areas would have been rejected' is environmental racism, but councillors overruled GP and community concerns.

Picture of open palm showing handful of rubber crumb. Caption - 3G football pitches use around 120 tons of rubber crumb, topped up with 300 kg/year

Council ignores health risks in plans for rubber crumb pitch at Whitefoot Lane, Downham

Cabinet member Sakina Sheikh presented officer advice on rubber crumb which ignores health risks to players and workers, in her answers at the full council meeting on 28 January.

Football pitch visible behind trees, shrubs and ancient pond at centre of the playing fields.

Calls to scrap plans for crumb rubber football pitch at Whitefoot Lane, Downham

Lewisham council have raised a planning application for a 3G football pitch at the playing fields, which include protected nature conservation areas. But local campaigners are calling for a halt and health impact assessment.

Canada geese flying over the Whitefoot Lane playing fields towards the pond.

Whitefoot Lane, Downham: risk of serious harms to children's health from planned football pitch

Downham GP Dr Helen Tattersfield raises concerns over potential "serious detrimental effects" of microplastics on young players' health, as well as the risks to nature.

Pond in shaft of sunlight, surrounded by trees with fence and playing fields in background.

"Ecological vandalism": plans for artificial grass football pitch at Whitefoot Lane, Downham

Community groups condemn Lewisham council's stewardship of the playing fields, which has allowed the ancient pond to dry out and progressed the plan for a 3G football pitch which will "dump microplastics into a nature reserve". They fear transfer of the site's lease will make things worse.

Members of Team Lewisham line up for a photo.

Team Lewisham in final weeks of training for Club Games 2025

The "Older Persons Olympics" are billed as a "fun, competitive and social" celebration of sport. There's still time to sign up.