Should Metropolitan Open Land be used for schools and what will this do to the traffic problems of Lea Bridge Road?
Consultation
Consultation
Dear Waltham Forest Our Community ,
I am writing on behalf of REAch2 Academy Trust and the Lion Academy Trust about our proposals for a new primary school and a new secondary school on a single site in Waltham Forest.
As you may be aware, the Education Funding Agency (EFA) completed the purchase of the Thames Water Depot at 150A Lea Bridge Road in April 2016 after an open sale process.
The EFA is now working with REAch2 Academy Trust and the Lion Academy Trust to develop proposals so that a new two-form entry primary school and eight-form entry secondary school can open in temporary facilities on the site from September 2017, with permanent purpose-built school buildings being completed in 2018 and 2019, subject to planning permission.
Both Trusts already run local schools that are rated by Ofsted as Outstanding and we are confident the new schools will deliver the same high standards of education in an area that needs additional school places.
The Depot site itself would be transformed from concrete and hard-standing into new school buildings with playgrounds, sports facilities and new green space, which could also be used by the wider community out of school hours.
We are now starting public consultation on the principle of the two schools opening on the site, which will feed into our emerging designs for the two schools. There will be further consultation later this Summer before we submit a planning application to the London Borough of Waltham Forest in autumn 2016
As part of this first stage of consultation we would be delighted to welcome you to one of our public exhibitions to view our proposals and speak with members of the project team. The exhibition will take place on:
Public Exhibition One
When: Saturday 16 July, 10am-2pm
Where: WaterWorks Centre & Middlesex Filter Beds, Lammas Rd, E10 7NU
Public Exhibition Two
When: Tuesday 19 July, 4pm-8pm
Where: WaterWorks Centre & Middlesex Filter Beds, Lammas Rd, E10 7NU
In the meantime should you wish to meet with the team, or would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Helena Carrie on hec@londoncommunications.co.uk or 0207 612 8480.
Yours sincerely,
| Justin James | Sir Steve Lancashire |
| Chief Executive Officer | Chief Executive Officer |
| Lion Academy Trust | REAch2 Academy Trust
Joe and I were at the consultation yesterday and they have a strong case for using the site for a school as it will do least damage to the aquifer. The case they made was that Thames Water would only sell the site to a new owner with a plan that was compatible with the aquifer.
Accepting that, it seems to me there is now a "once in a generation" opportunity to get access improvements to this part of the Lea Valley that we have wished for but have never been able to get implemented. This is not a definitive list and it needs refining but I would urge all community groups to push for improvements that will enhance the various new developments in the Lea Bridge area. Apparently the Government have purchased the site for the schools and Waltham Forest Planning Committee are not known for their opposition to anything so building on Metropolitan Open Land and on a Flood Plain will be of no interest to the committee especially as the Government will clearly ignore any opposition.
1. Green Bridge (as in Mile End Park across Mile End Road) from Low Hall playing fields to the sustrans path by Walthamstow Marsh. This will give better access to the Lee Valley park for Walthamstow residents.
2. Green bridge from the Ice Centre to the Filter beds with a spur to the new schools. The schools are anxious to encourage cycling to school.
3. Create a public route between the school site and the river as the footpath by the Princess of Wales is very narrow and congested.
4. Access to the new Ice Centre and new schools need to be considered together and added to the new Mini Holland route which apparently is going to cross Lea Bridge station. Real joined up thinking is needed here if cycling is really to be encouraged.
5. The new residential development at 97 Lea Bridge Road also needs to be included in the pedestrian/cycling access strategy.
6. All car parks for the schools, Ice Centre and 97 Lea Bridge Road need to be screened properly by trees. One of the eyesores of the area for decades has been the Ice Rink as it was never hidden by trees.
7. The Lee Valley Park's Waterworks also needs to be part of the debate but I don't know if the LVRPA have any ideas of what they intend to use the site for. Obviously the Riding Centre would be included in any new access routes.
There is not much time to influence the decision makers and this is a great opportunity to improve the park.
Adrian
On 20 July 2016 at 20:48, Claire Weiss claireweiss@hotmail.com [saveleytonmarsh] <saveleytonmarsh@yahoogroups.
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