Forest School has submitted a Planning App to rebuild its science blocks.
2024/0491/LB
WALTHAM FOREST - ONE COMMUNITY This Blog provides information about our Community in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Please send your contributions to wfoc10@gmail.com
Friday, 28 March 2014
Save the Waltham Oak
Save the Waltham Oak
Morning everyone , the Appeal Hearing will be fast upon us (15/04/14). Please make the effort to attend if you can.
We hope that the council will organise the seating sensibly (but who knows).
We have requested to speak , and so have a number of local councilors. The decision as to who speaks , is at the discretion of the Planning Inspector.
Our case remains strong , and we hope the Planning Inspector will agree..and end this sorry saga.
Thank you all for your continued support.
Morning everyone , the Appeal Hearing will be fast upon us (15/04/14). Please make the effort to attend if you can.
We hope that the council will organise the seating sensibly (but who knows).
We have requested to speak , and so have a number of local councilors. The decision as to who speaks , is at the discretion of the Planning Inspector.
Our case remains strong , and we hope the Planning Inspector will agree..and end this sorry saga.
Thank you all for your continued support.
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River Moselle Walk
Sunday 13 April
River Moselle walk from Wood Green to the River Lea.
This four mile walk will go through Noel Park conservation area, Lordship Recreation Ground (where the Moselle has been raised to the surface and landscaped), Tottenham Cemetery, Tottenham High Road (with its many listed buildings) and end at Markfield Park (the historic Beam Engine will be open). About two hours. Refreshments available at Pistachios cafe.
Meet 11am, Outside Wood Green library,
High Road, N22 6XD
http://www.haringeyresidents.
River Moselle walk from Wood Green to the River Lea.
This four mile walk will go through Noel Park conservation area, Lordship Recreation Ground (where the Moselle has been raised to the surface and landscaped), Tottenham Cemetery, Tottenham High Road (with its many listed buildings) and end at Markfield Park (the historic Beam Engine will be open). About two hours. Refreshments available at Pistachios cafe.
Meet 11am, Outside Wood Green library,
High Road, N22 6XD
http://www.haringeyresidents.
Harrow Green Community Library 1st Anniversary
Dear Library followers
We have great pleasure in inviting you all to our first birthday celebrations on 9 May. Entry free / light refreshments.
Harrow Green Community Library special anniversary events
Friday 9 May at the Epicentre!
Please join us to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the library and enjoy:
6pm - 7pm
6pm - 7pm
Local well-known dancer Theo Oloyade is performing and leading boys from Norlington School in a special street dance event. Theo reached the final of 'Got to Dance' in 2013.
7pm - 8pm
7pm - 8pm
Renowned poet, comedian and musician John Hegley will be performing for an adult audience.
CALL FOR HELP WITH EQUIPMENT - if anyone is willing to loan us either an iPod amplifier or CD player with good amplification for the street dance performances please reply to this email or call me, Ros Kane, on 0208 555 5248
CALL FOR HELP WITH EQUIPMENT - if anyone is willing to loan us either an iPod amplifier or CD player with good amplification for the street dance performances please reply to this email or call me, Ros Kane, on 0208 555 5248
Greetings from all in the Library committee
Please note: I do not look at emails all the time, so if urgent, please phone me on 0208 555 5248.
Also, occasionally emails do not reach me. so please phone if I have not responded within a few days.
Traffic for London - Events
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Friends of Waltham Forest Parks
With the local elections on the 22nd May it seems a good time for the members of the Friends of WF Parks to consider lobbying the candidates about issues relating to their parks. I attended a meeting yesterday of the London Green Spaces Friends Groups Network and they are composing a letter to go out to all the political parties and the park managers urging them to protect our parks. I am also working on a list of questions that could be raised with the candidates.
Steve Williams and I think it would be good if the Friends met more frequently and would like to arrange a meeting before the election to help Friends Groups engage with the candidates in their area.
If you are interested in any of these points please email me back so that I can contact you direct and not just via Groundwork.
Please reply to
Thanks,
Adrian
Walthamstow Big Weekender
Walthamstow Garden Party
The Barbican and Create London have been commissioned by Waltham Forest Council to present a weekend of music, theatre, arts and crafts, food and family activities in Walthamstow’s Lloyd Park, as part of the annual Walthamstow Big Weekender.
This free event (Sat 26 and Sun 27 July) will celebrate Walthamstow’s creative and cultural communities, make full use of the landscape of Lloyd Park - home to the award winning William Morris Gallery - and be inspired by the principles of William Morris by honouring the beautiful, homemade, sustainable and welcoming aesthetic he championed.
It will feature two music stages showcasing international and local artists, a theatre and performance stage, pop-up theatre, dance, art and music performances that highlight the park’s natural features, the Real Food Festival’s extraordinary food from around the globe, bars selling craft beers from local breweries and an arts and crafts market showcasing local artisanal designs.
The festival builds on the legacy of last summer’s Open East Festival which saw the Barbican and Create London programme a two-day celebration in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to mark the first anniversary of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games and the opening of the north of the park to the public. The full line-up for the Walthamstow Garden Party is to be announced.
WMG Tea Room closed for refurbishment
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Water Cannon - what is your view?
Dear Adrian,
You might not have seen a water cannon before. They’re like fire engines, except that the high-pressure hose is used to control crowds. Water cannons are used in other countries, but they’ve never been used here.
London Mayor Boris Johnson is trying to persuade the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to allow them on London’s streets.
What do you think? 38 Degrees member Neal Parsons has set up a petition, calling on Theresa May to rule out the use of water cannon for good. Do you agree? If so, you can sign the petition here:
SIGN THE PETITION
You might not have seen a water cannon before. They’re like fire engines, except that the high-pressure hose is used to control crowds. Water cannons are used in other countries, but they’ve never been used here.
London Mayor Boris Johnson is trying to persuade the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to allow them on London’s streets.
What do you think? 38 Degrees member Neal Parsons has set up a petition, calling on Theresa May to rule out the use of water cannon for good. Do you agree? If so, you can sign the petition here:
SIGN THE PETITION
Neal argues that:
“The right to protest is one of the most important aspects of our free and open democracy and I believe that the threat of this weapon will be an inhibitor to people of all ages from exercising that right.”
But Boris thinks there is broad support for water cannon. He says:
“No-one wants to see water cannon routinely deployed on the streets of London but ... I have concluded there is broad support amongst Londoners for the use of this measure by the police in limited circumstances.” [1]
So who is right? If you'd like to support Neal’s campaign to stop the use of water cannon, sign the petition here:
SIGN THE PETITION
Thanks for everything you do,
Andrew, Robin and the rest of the 38 Degrees team
P.S. Neal started his petition on Campaigns by You, a part of the 38 Degrees site where anyone can start and run campaigns on the issues that matter to them. Check out the site or start your own campaign here: https://secure.38degrees.org.
NOTES:
[1] Independent, London Mayor backs water cannon use in the capital:
http://www.independent.co.uk/
“The right to protest is one of the most important aspects of our free and open democracy and I believe that the threat of this weapon will be an inhibitor to people of all ages from exercising that right.”
But Boris thinks there is broad support for water cannon. He says:
“No-one wants to see water cannon routinely deployed on the streets of London but ... I have concluded there is broad support amongst Londoners for the use of this measure by the police in limited circumstances.” [1]
So who is right? If you'd like to support Neal’s campaign to stop the use of water cannon, sign the petition here:
SIGN THE PETITION
Thanks for everything you do,
Andrew, Robin and the rest of the 38 Degrees team
P.S. Neal started his petition on Campaigns by You, a part of the 38 Degrees site where anyone can start and run campaigns on the issues that matter to them. Check out the site or start your own campaign here: https://secure.38degrees.org.
NOTES:
[1] Independent, London Mayor backs water cannon use in the capital:
http://www.independent.co.uk/
News from Save Walthamstow Cinema
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Friday, 21 March 2014
Mini Holland - recycled
COMMENT FROM BORIS:
In the past decade, cycling in London has
trebled. Two wheels have never been more popular and in response to that rise
in demand I am making the biggest improvements to our roads in a generation.
We are investing £300m in ripping out and replacing the capital's biggest and nastiest road junctions to make them safer and less threatening. We are creating a series of enhanced cycling superhighways, urban 'quietways' for more cautious cyclists and helping our outer London boroughs 'go Dutch' and become mini-Hollands.
By increasing the number of journeys made by bike, we can cut overcrowding on public transport, ease congestion, slash pollution and reduce competition for parking spaces. That's why everyone really is a winner in London's cycling revolution!
We are investing £300m in ripping out and replacing the capital's biggest and nastiest road junctions to make them safer and less threatening. We are creating a series of enhanced cycling superhighways, urban 'quietways' for more cautious cyclists and helping our outer London boroughs 'go Dutch' and become mini-Hollands.
By increasing the number of journeys made by bike, we can cut overcrowding on public transport, ease congestion, slash pollution and reduce competition for parking spaces. That's why everyone really is a winner in London's cycling revolution!
Mini Holland March
2013
Believing that before commenting on a subject a bit of
research is necessary I decided to take a long look at the Waltham Forest Council’s
successful Mini Holland bid. Having been granted £30m (the equivalent of 1.5
new Secondary schools) by Boris it looks as if cyclists will be in heaven. From
the Tour de France that will close Lea Bridge Road this year to every road
being made cycle friendly - what more could a cyclist want!
In a democracy I have always believed the majority view wins
the argument. This report uses statistics to argue its case but if you turn the
figures around a different story emerges.
2011 Census shows:
58% of Waltham Forest
households have access to a car.
Walthamstow Town Centre residents - 50% have cars and 96% do
not cycle to work.
At my place of work there are a 1,000 people and 99% do not
cycle to work.
So how can £30m be spent for the benefit of so few?
As a daily cyclist and pedestrian, occasional car driver and
even less a bus user one of my biggest issues with the attitude of the report
is it is already encouraging cyclists to share the pavement with pedestrians -
extremely dangerous and it won’t be long before a child is seriously injured.
More than once, as a cyclist in the road, a pedestrian has just wandered in
front of me and as a pedestrian I frequently dice with death as cyclists try to
grab the same bit of pavement as me!
The whole document is predicated on cycling being the only
way forward. No mention is made of the needs of pedestrians, that is all of us
at sometime, motorists - most of us travel by car at some point, white van man
and refuse collection we all need to maintain our homes, buses to get about and
of course in an emergency fire engines, ambulances oh and of course police cars
or are they all coming by bike! A balanced document it is NOT!
“We are introducing a
radical cycle-friendly scheme to calm the streets” says the council. As the
streets are already full who is going to be moved away? All streets need to
accommodate delivery vehicles and emergency vehicles otherwise what is
civilisation?
“A better public realm
will involve reallocating space away from the car by removing parking” Walthamstow
Village is a great example – the Village CPZ has removed the commuter cars and
they now clutter Shernhall Street causing traffic congestion for all road users
including cyclists. Cycling is now more difficult in the Village because you
have to weave in and out of the parked cars causing problems to drivers coming
through the Village. The other extreme is Carr Road which is completely full of
parked cars as it is not in the CPZ and cars have to travel around for ages
trying to find a space to park getting in the way of cyclists.
I am old enough to remember when our streets had no parked
cars and what traffic there was flowed easily. Now with parking on both sides
of roads we have reduced the road space by two thirds. This should never have
been allowed to happen. If they are cleared away to allow access to cycles
where will the cars go?
“Reduce reliance on
the car for local journeys” - there is no point is saying people should
give up their cars – they have them because they are affordable and more
convenient for most people – the owners won’t be swapping their cars for bicycles!
Even more importantly there is a huge majority of people who cannot travel any
distance except by car i.e. disabled, elderly, and children. Cycling is only
for the fit from 10 years to 60 years and only if they have no goods to carry!
Interestingly I would suggest a small car with 4 people in it takes up less
room than 4 cyclists.
In Singapore a huge tax (at least £10k) is put on every new
car and is refunded when the car is compulsorily scrapped after 10 years but
still car ownership is vast. The city authorities design public transport and
roads to provide what residents need without all the streets being cluttered.
The author of this report must live in a parallel universe
to me. The council wants to permit two way cycling in one-way streets – “This has already dramatically improved
links between Lloyd Park, The Town Hall, residential areas and shops on Hoe
Street”. Who in their right mind would consider cycling along Hoe Street –
walking is bad enough!
Even if these dreams come anywhere near being implemented we
need to be clear what is being lost. The wonderful green of Whipps Cross
roundabout, a great edge to Epping Forest, will be lost as it is converted to a
conventional junction with traffic lights. Not being a traffic engineer I
cannot say if this will work, but if Whipps Cross Road gets congested our
emergency services needing access to the hospital could be in jeopardy.
Just to confirm the author’s dream world apparently “Villagisation” will take place and we will have pocket parks and parklets in
Walthamstow Village, Markhouse Village and Blackhorse Village and it “will mean most residents of the Borough
(250,000 people) are within 15 minutes cycle ride of Walthamstow” – maybe
for Barry Wiggins!
Having spent over an hour enjoying this document I think you
have probably got the gist of it. As I look at particular areas I will let you
have a further look into the dream world of the cyclist.
But to close with a real gem “The min Holland area will be subject to extensive modelling and
investigation prior to the implementation of the second phase of closures to minimise the risk of creating
gridlock”!
Adrian Stannard
Marsh Lane - Jubilee Park
I took my kids to marsh lane this afternoon to check out the new playgrounds. A ship climbing frame, a traditional slide type place and a some other bits. The place was packed with families enjoying the sun and the kids, loads of them, were having a great time, mine included.
A great amount of space has been taken up by the new exhibits and the main play area is enclosed by a pointless fence but i must say that the fields were alive with the sound of laughter and children having fun and more people than i have ever seen in lammas lounging in the sun.
Whilst i appreciate the desire of some to keep the space free of this sort of thing i think i support the decision of the council to put the new bits in as the space is now being enjoyed by hundreds of people whereas before it was used by only a few. I know that my kids had a great time and with many of their friends who had also come down independently of us.
Maybe it was a good idea?
Matt
A great amount of space has been taken up by the new exhibits and the main play area is enclosed by a pointless fence but i must say that the fields were alive with the sound of laughter and children having fun and more people than i have ever seen in lammas lounging in the sun.
Whilst i appreciate the desire of some to keep the space free of this sort of thing i think i support the decision of the council to put the new bits in as the space is now being enjoyed by hundreds of people whereas before it was used by only a few. I know that my kids had a great time and with many of their friends who had also come down independently of us.
Maybe it was a good idea?
Matt
Lea Bridge and The Mill
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Agenda for a Ward Community Forum
Dear Masood,
Thank you for appealing to your colleagues to respond to my original email. Have you heard anything?
In the meantime the Council has released the "Mini Holland" document containing proposals which have won £30 million to be spent on improving the cycling environment in the borough.
The proposals in this document if implemented will impact significantly on Waltham Forest Lea Bridge Ward residents. The proposals for "Capworth Village", the street closures, the intentions for the Markhouse Corner junction, the changes to bus lanes - all need a lot of airing with people who live in the area. The proposals for the Lea Bridge Road cycle super-highway need to be considered in the light of what the LVRPA is planning for that same area as a 'destination'.
Since the borough has created the Ward Forums for discussion could I suggest that ours is convened as soon as possible, particularly to discuss the Mini Holland proposals. It would be good to invite Cllr Clyde Loakes, whose name is on the document, and also our Waltham Forest Councillor on the LVRPA.
What do you think?
Many thanks,
Claire Weiss
Subject: Re: Lea Bridge Ward (WF) Community Forum - major matters for discussion
On 27 Feb 2014, at 19:52, "Claire Weiss" <claireweiss@hotmail.com> wrote:
Thank you for appealing to your colleagues to respond to my original email. Have you heard anything?
In the meantime the Council has released the "Mini Holland" document containing proposals which have won £30 million to be spent on improving the cycling environment in the borough.
The proposals in this document if implemented will impact significantly on Waltham Forest Lea Bridge Ward residents. The proposals for "Capworth Village", the street closures, the intentions for the Markhouse Corner junction, the changes to bus lanes - all need a lot of airing with people who live in the area. The proposals for the Lea Bridge Road cycle super-highway need to be considered in the light of what the LVRPA is planning for that same area as a 'destination'.
Since the borough has created the Ward Forums for discussion could I suggest that ours is convened as soon as possible, particularly to discuss the Mini Holland proposals. It would be good to invite Cllr Clyde Loakes, whose name is on the document, and also our Waltham Forest Councillor on the LVRPA.
What do you think?
Many thanks,
Claire Weiss
Subject: Re: Lea Bridge Ward (WF) Community Forum - major matters for discussion
On 27 Feb 2014, at 19:52, "Claire Weiss" <claireweiss@hotmail.com> wrote:
Dear Councillors,
- The Lea Valley Regional Park Authority this week is making fundamental decisions about how much of their operations, including those in our Ward, will be managed. There will be a separate Trust. Furthermore, the possibility of complete privatisation in future years is left open. It appears that the LVRPA will seek to create and develop anything that is income-generating, in order to balance its books. This puts the preservation of our Metropolitan Open Land at risk, because there is no money to be made from open green space. Yet the Lee Valley Regional Park was created in order to be a 'green lung' for north and east London. Has the Waltham Forest Council been consulted about any of this?
- The existing encroachment of development is all too easy to see from Lea Bridge Road - the huge blocks of flats now erected at Essex Wharf on the river's edge dominate the surroundings and almost dwarf the ice rink - which itself is now going to be developed by the LVRPA. The proposals that arose (pre-Olympic catastrophe on Leyton Marsh) for a hotel on Lea Bridge Road are now re-surfacing. What proposals have been put to the Council?
- The promised re-opening of Lea Bridge railway station - the date we were given was a start in February - does not appear to be happening. Has Network Rail given any reasons for this failure?
- The new crossroads layout at Bakers Arms causes immeasurable delays to buses, ambulances and pedestrians, let alone cars. The construction work is going on interminably. Everyone that I speak to is appalled at what has been done. We need to speak to you Councillors about this.
There is much to discuss at the Ward Forum, but alas there is no date planned.
We are informed on the Council website that the next Ward Forum meeting will be in December 2013. How ridiculous is this. This represents an appalling lapse in the ability of residents to challenge their representatives, and I believe it is an inexplicably cynical gesture on the part of you Councillors when really you should be keeping the channels of communication open at a time of such change.
Were you hoping we would all keep quiet until after the elections?
Please let everyone know urgently when the next meeting will be held so that we can discuss these major matters.
Regards and thanks,
Claire Weiss
E10 7AR
CPRE News
Dear colleagues,
We hope you are enjoying the early arrival of spring!
London E-bulletin
On our website this month you'll find our March E-bulletin with updates on the revised London Plan, Thames Gateway, local green spaces, housing, transport and regeneration.
London Green Belt briefing
Our new member briefing on the London's Green Belt: Time for Renewal is now out, reviewing the history and future of the capital's Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land.
Draft London Housing Strategy
CPRE London responded to the Mayor's consultation on his revised housing strategy. You can find a copy of our responseonline here.
Upcoming events
Best wishes,
CPRE London
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We hope you are enjoying the early arrival of spring!
London E-bulletin
On our website this month you'll find our March E-bulletin with updates on the revised London Plan, Thames Gateway, local green spaces, housing, transport and regeneration.
London Green Belt briefing
Our new member briefing on the London's Green Belt: Time for Renewal is now out, reviewing the history and future of the capital's Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land.
Draft London Housing Strategy
CPRE London responded to the Mayor's consultation on his revised housing strategy. You can find a copy of our responseonline here.
Upcoming events
- Liveable Cities: The last of our film series, Human Scale, about the work of Danish architect Jan Gehl is showing on Monday 24 March. Its sold out but you can sign up to go on the waiting list.
- Green Sky Thinking Week: We are hosting an event during Open City's Green Sky Thinking week focusing on sustainability in the built environment. Participants will be able to try out our Commonplace neighbourhood liveability tool, and we'll be sharing some early findings from our Liveable London Campaign. Its taking place onTuesday April 29.
Best wishes,
CPRE London
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London Aquatics Centre open
As Waltham Forest's Pool and Track will close this summer to be rebuilt an alternative could be a visit to Stratford to the Aquatics Centre.
Aquatics Centre
Aquatics Centre
Queens Road to Walthamstow Central Footpath - update
Dear Bryn Jones
There are four elements to completing this link
1. The opening of station entrance has been held up by problems in locating a ticket machine in a secure and accessible site. We have now found a location for a slimmed down version of the ticket machine on the pedestrian ramp leading down to the station bridge (see attached visual). Furthermore, we have been advised that locating the ticket machine on the ramp will not require planning permission as it is on railway operating land. As the ticket machine and base weighs over 500Kg, we are still waiting for confirmation from our bridge designers that the ramp is able support the equipment. If this is confirmed we will aim to get the station entrance open in time for the completion of the reconstruction of the car park route at the rear of Walthamstow Central station.
Completing the link requires three further pieces of work.
2. The installation of new CCTV cameras in the Exeter Road/Edison Road estate. These cameras with their supporting columns have now been installed and are due to become operational this week.
3. The path to the rear of Edison Close needs to be tidied up and the fence at the end removed or altered to link up with the proposed path through the car park.
4. The new pedestrian route through the car park at the rear of Walthamstow Central. The latest on this from Solum Regeneration (the developers of the site) is that it will be completed by May.
Tobias Newland
Transport Planner
Planning Policy and Regeneration
Waltham Forest Town Hall, Sycamore House (Room G08)
Forest Road
Walthamstow E17 4JF,
Walthamstow E17 4JF,
Tel: 020 8496 6780