SLM Weekly Digest 20/12/13

HELLO!  WELCOME TO THE FESTIVE SEASON EDITION OF THE SAVE LEA MARSHES WEEKLY DIGEST .  WE PRODUCE THIS TO UPDATE PEOPLE ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE LEA VALLEY AREA WITH PARTICULAR REGARD TO TRYING TO KEEP OUR GREEN SPACES AS HAVENS FOR NATURE AND AREAS FOR PEOPLE TO RELAX, UNWIND AND ENJOY. 

This week's Christmas stocking of news, conversations and information includes:

LVRPA - last Saturday, some SLM campaigners and others attended the first "workshop" that the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority has held since it decided to cease having the User Forum.  Our general consensus was, that the format of the meetings was not really a workshop and not greatly changed  - the format of  the meeting consisted of LVRPA representatives reporting back on recent work; telling us of plans and inviting comment and participation.  The London Wildlife Trust's report on the biodiversity of Leyton Marsh, was also discussed.  There were some factual inaccuracies noted, which we would want to see changed before the LWT report is endorsed.  However, as it is the season of being jolly, SLM will keep open minded, whilst we will continue to be critica and take action, if promises of change are not satisfactorily fulfilled.  One of our representatives also met with the Chief Executive of the LVRPA, Shaun Dawson in a long-standing, pre-scheduled meeting to discuss some of our concerns about  the Lea Valley,  and how working more cooperatively with local people is in all of our interests.  There was some promising feedback from Shaun Dawson - which, if acted on, will be good progress.  We'll follow up on this more at a later date.

MABLEY GREEN - our friends at Mabley Green, who were planning to extend their community garden project into a fully fledged "Edible Garden", have had a major setback, with fly-tippers dumping tons of rubbish on the site causing a big cost to Hackney Council.  SLM extends its heartfelt sympathies.  The story is on the front page of this week's "Hackney Gazette".  I have to confess that when I first caught sight of it this morning (without my glasses) I jumped to the conclusion that these were before and after pictures of East Marsh!

EAST MARSH - our "dibbings" into the goings-on at East Marsh, continue.   It seems that handover from the LLDC (London Legacy Development thingy), should have happened on 2 December, when the Ruckholt Road Underpass was supposed to have been completed.  The Heras Fencing will stay put and be up to Hackney to maintain.  Mountain bike lanes have also been added (as we reported in the past).  The LLDC appears (conveniently) to not be clear about the implications of common land are.  The retention of the car park is part of the works and covered under Hackney Council's legal arrangement with the LDA (and successors).  However, this has not had the required planning permission  seehttp://idox.hackney.gov.uk/WAM/ShowCaseFile.do 

STOKEY LOCAL - The good news is that, following the recent Planning Sub Committee debacle; campaigners have inundated the Secretary of State for Communities, with requests to "call in" the application.  The Minister has requested more time to think (or perhaps get through his Mince Pies ..).  The story is on p.6 of this week's "Hackney Gazette".  However, don't get complacent, the campaign still wants people to write letters to the SSofC and have drafted some points for general use. see http://us2.Campaign-archive2.com/?u=747f6d2c72e4ced2aced01c000eid=dc37becdfeee= (you might have to go to the Stokey Local webpage to access this one).

POCKET PARK - school pupils and residents will be consulted on designs for a new "pocket" park.  Hackney Council has been awarded £40k to create a welcoming green space at Trelawney Estate, Morning Lane, Homerton  (to be inspired by Loddiges Nursery - the biggest hothouse of the 18th-19th centuries).  Full story also in the "Hackney Gazette" p.4.  This is welcome news, lets hope we see more green consciousness on behalf of the Hackney Council in the New Year.

Well, it remains to say - have an enjoyable seasonal time - and do get out and about and enjoy the green spaces over the festive period and let us know if you see anything you want to tell us about - positive or negative.  We'll be having a little break but already preparing for a busy New Year.  Our next meeting is at 7.00 at the Princess of Wales pub, Lea Bridge Road, Hackney on Monday 6 January.  The meetings are open for any new people who want to come.