Wood Street Community Forum Meeting 15th February 2012 Over 50 people attended the Wood Street Forum meeting. Sam Neal, the Councils Regeneration Manager, outlined the plans for Wood Street. 1. Long Term – up to 15 years - an Area Action Plan (AAP) is being developed and a public meeting will be held in the Spring to start the process. 2. Public Realm will complete by Spring 2012 – TfL has given £1.8m to improve Wood Street. The Plaza has been completed and paving and lighting works have started. 3. Outer London Fund – the Mayor has given £300k in Phase 1 and £1.5m in Phase 2 to breathe new life into Wood Street by: 3.1. Setting up a Business Forum to support businesses 3.2. Lighting features in trees etc. 2 day trial in March 3.3. Indoor Market – launch of new businesses has been successful 3.4. Projecting images onto the wall at the end of Valentine Road 3.5. Shop Front Improvements 100 % grants for 30 units. 4. QUESTIONS – residents were concerned about the lights being left on during the day. This will change when time switches are operational. Concern was expressed about the new layout for on street parking by the Coop. No one was able to explain the plans. Residents expressed concern about the slippery granite paving in the Plaza and were told it is used the world over. The fountains will be switched off over the winter and will be put back on in the spring. 5. The Plough – has been converted into a shop. Could not be stopped as Planning Law stipulates a pub (A4) does not need planning permission to change to a shop (A1). Equally the council can’t stop pubs converting to betting shops (A2). The shutters do need planning permission and this has not been requested and therefore enforcement procedures are underway to have them removed. Residents expressed concern about the ramp from the shop onto the pavement where the double decker bus goes. The council were unable to explain the plans they have for the junction outside the pub. 6. Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) gave a very comprehensive report about their activities in the ward. They reported that a camp of homeless people has set up off Greenway Avenue. They have no powers to move these people on, but are working with housing agencies to see what can be offered. A high number of burglaries had been reported in this area. The CCTV car parked in the Forest Road cycle lane was reported and councillors agreed to investigate. 7. Wood Street Community First Panel – has been set up with a grant of £33k. Similar schemes are being funded in Grove Green, Hoe Street and Lea Bridge Wards. A panel of local people is set up to identify problems in Wards. Workshops will be arranged to identify the issues in Wood Street. A range of ideas are being considered to restore community spirit. 8. Wood Street Forum has £19k to spend. The councillors put forward ideas to spend £8,300. One of these is for £5k for SNT to deliver a Wood Street Fun Day. Lea Bridge Community Forum Meeting 17/10/11 Apathy ruled with only about a dozen residents attending all representing other groups and the 3 ward Councillors. I was not allowed to ask any questions as I was not a resident of the area. Police – reported that the Bakers Arms is a high crime area due to the number of betting offices and off licences. Police constantly patrol the area and the council’s licensing authority is very active. A group of eastern European prostitutes has been driven away from the area. Lea Bridge Road will be one of the main routes to the OIympics. Libraries – Lorna Lee gave an update on the libraries reorganisation to save 25% of their budget which equates to a £1m a year. Public Consultation has been carried out on the plans and have been agreed by the Cabinet. The result is Harrow Green and South Chingford libraries will be closed and the buildings given to the Property Department to find alternative uses. A 4,000 signature petition had been submitted by supporters of Harrow Green and this has triggered a full council debate which takes place on 20th October 2011. The plan creates 4 Library Plus branches and the remaining Library Local. Plus will be open 7 days a week (63 hours) and in addition to normal services provide an advisory service and longer opening hours. Local will only open for 36 hours and residents will be consulted on what times these should be. The staff structure will be changed and volunteer opportunities are being considered. Northern Olympic Fringe Area Action Plan (AAP) presentation was given by Rebecca Ye explaining that the final stages of the AAP was being reached before it goes to the Secretary of State and a Public Inquiry. The AAP will be valid for 15 years and will shape planning applications by defining the use of each area. The AAP has been split into 4 areas – Lea Valley, Lea Bridge, Marsh Lane and Church Road/Leyton. See web site for details of the key strategies. A few interesting points came out during the presentation: 1. Work has started on planning for re-opening of Lea Bridge Station in 2013. 2. Leyton – shop front improvements are underway. 3. Work on funding (£10m) the Walthamstow Wetlands Project is well underway. 4. High buildings will be allowed at Lea Bridge which is seen as a gateway to the Borough. Consultation (i.e. informing the public) on the final plans will be from the 9th November to 17th December. £10m is being spent on improvements to the public realm. Improvements have been made to Leyton High Road and a footbridge will be built from the Asda car park to the Olympic Park. Marsh Lane recreation area will be turned into a community hub by improving the football pitches and rebuilding the pavilion. Abbotts Park will also be upgraded. Stanley Road Car Park (Bakers Arms Car Park) This is to be closed and the council is looking at all the options and will create a planning brief. Apparently school use is always considered first for any redundant site but this site is deemed not suitable. How the shops at the Bakers Arms will fare without a car park will be interesting! Highams Park Regal Cinema See attachment for details of the current state of the Regal Cinema in Highams Park - thanks to the Highams Park Forum for the information. |