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215
lised for these sports, and being unwilling to interfere with
such healthful amusements, the memorialists suggest that
the time had come when Peckham Rye Common should be
enlarged for the safety, enjoyment, and well-being of those
who use it.
THAT, in view of carrying out a scheme for the
extension of the Common, your Petitioners beg respectfully
to solicit the Commissioners' attention to the fact that the
owners of the land which is now known as Homestead
Farm, and which adjoins Peckham Rye Common, extending
from a point opposite the Heme Tavern, Forest Hill Road,
to the corner of the Homestall Road, The Newlands (as
shewn on the map sent herewith), and consisting of about
52 acres of parklike and well wooded land of freehold
tenure, have consented, after much solicitation, to sell the
whole (subject to a life interest in from eight to twelve
acres, for which a rent would be paid) of this land, at
the price of £1,000 per acre, which your Petitioners
consider a very low sum, it being valuable building land,
and if not purchased for this purpose will be laid out
for the formation of " new streetsand rows of houses
will speedily be built thereon, plans for which streets
have already been prepared and some of the roads laid
out. The cost of purchasing the various interests in the
other property required to complete this magnificent
extension would only be about an additional £10,000,
making the total amount required £62,000.
YOUR Petitioners are well aware that the importance
and necessity of acquiring additional open spaces for the
benefit of the Very thickly'"populated South London is
one that is now occupying your attention, and that you