23rd October - 31 days - Common

In an effort to get blogging on a regular basis it seems I need a challenge. I've opted to try and complete this one as it's only supposed to take 5 minutes each day. Of course it takes a bit longer than that to get the post presented how I want it but the content was done with a timer.
If you want to find out more, join in or just check out other participants click on the image above.
Today’s prompt is Common and here's my 5 minutes' worth:
 
Our street borders a piece of common land. The land was originally part of Epping Forest on the outskirts of London. It’s now owned by the Corporation of London. Because the land can’t be built on there are no houses on one side of the road so we have an unobstructed view of the land. 

It’s used for a variety of things – football, model airplane flying, visiting fairs and circus groups from time to time and it’s also a haven for wildlife. It’s definitely an oasis in the middle of urban London.

During the 2012 Olympic games it was used as a base for the police, in particular the mounted division. Special permission had to be gained through Parliament for temporary structures to be erected and part of that agreement included funding a renovation of one of the pond areas where I often walk.

Now we are facing a new initiative. A company wants to hold musical events next year open to at least 30,000 people. It is already causing ripples through the local community. Some members see it as a great opportunity, others see it as something to be prevented at all costs.

I can see there being organised sit ins and protests. Watch this space.