The London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies NEWSLETTER JUNE 2015 Planning News Local History Society Members Environment Around and About Committee 3-4 page 5 pages 6-7 pages 8-9 pages 10-11 page 12 THE PROBLEMS WITH PLOUGH LANE its own fans and the football community generally. Hundreds of residents from Wimbledon and Earlsfield have registered their objections to the plans as they currently stand, citing worries about the size of the development, its traffic and transport implications, flooding issues and lack of infrastructure planning. Importantly, a number of local resident groups have registered their concerns. They include, of course, the local Wimbledon Park Residents’ Association but also Image Robson copyright Sheppard the Raynes Park and West Barnes An artist’s impression of the proposed AFC Wimbledon stadium on Plough Lane Residents’ Association (RPWBRA) and Wimbledon East Hillside As we go to press, there is still Since then, several thousand Residents’ Association (WEHRA) no date set for a decision on the submissions have been lodged with – as well as, of course, our own controversial redevelopment of the Merton Borough Council. They Wimbledon Society. Greyhound Stadium in Plough Lane. include a 15,000-signature petition There is no question that on However latest indications from the from animal rights charity PETA large planning applications, cross Council suggest July or August. which says it supports the AFCW constituency support is extremely proposal, provided it means the end helpful. TOWARDS THE END of last year, of greyhound racing in Wimbledon. Many Statutory bodies have AFC Wimbledon submitted Several thousand emails have responded to the application: formal plans with Galliard Homes also been received from AFCW Greater London Authority: The to build a football stadium, to supporters from as far afield as Mayor of London’s Office says the ultimately accommodate 20,000 Hawaii, Russia, Australia and AFCW/Galliard Homes scheme fans, together with a 602-home South Africa – as well as local for Plough Lane contravenes the development on the site of the supporters, following a campaign London Plan on numerous grounds current greyhound stadium. by the club to rally backing from including lack of (Continued on p3) For the latest information, go to www.wimbledonsociety.org.uk, www.wimbledonmuseum.org.uk or the Facebook page. EDITOR’S NOTE Wimbledon Society contacts AGM report 2015 President Norman Plastow THE SOCIETY held its 111th Annual General Meeting at Christ Church Hall on 16 May 2015. President Norman Plastow opened the proceedings, which were attended by some 70 Chairman/Website Asif Malik members, with MP Stephen Hammond, Mayor David Chung and Mayoress Irina Chung among the guests. Introducing his report for the year, Chairman Hon Secretary Sue Lang Asif Malik welcomed guests and members. He thanked all volunteers, particularly those stepping down, including Cyril Maidment, a former Chairman of the Museum Committee. Hon Treasurer Corinna Edge The Chairman was sad to report the deaths of several key members, including Alan Elliot, who made an enormous contribution to the Museum, Martyn Harman, a former Society Planning Chairman John Mays Chairman and Planning Committee Chair, Dr Elspeth Veale and Simon Boome, both keen supporters of the Museum. Honorary Treasurer Corinna Edge presented Museum Chairman Cassandra the 2014 Accountants and Trustees’ Annual Taylor Report and Accounts, reporting the healthy state of Society finances, underpinned by sucessful sales of the ‘Then and Now’ book. Local History Chairman Charles Toase Norman Plastow was re-elected President and Pat Keith, Charles Toase and Tony Michael as Vice-Presidents. The Chairman – Asif Malik, Hon Treasurer – Corinna Edge and Hon Secretary Membership/Planning Secretary – Sue Lang were also re-elected. Elected to the Jennifer Newman Executive Committee were Marsha Beresford, Linda Defriez, Monica Ellison, Janet Koss, John Mays, Jennifer Newman, Andrew Simon, Iain Simpson and Cassandra Taylor. Activities/Newsletter Distribution A proposal from the Executive Committee to Linda Defriez incorporate the Society as a company limited by guarantee, registered as a charity, was approved without dissent by members present, and that the Resolution to approve the incorporation was adopted. Members authorised the Executive Wimbledon Society Newsletter Committee to proceed with completion of this Editorial team (see page 12 for profles) process by the end of 2015. John Stern Members commented on the Society’s work Nigel Davies before the address by the guest speaker Philip Asif Malik Brook, Chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis Iain Simpson Club. Mr Brook spoke about developments at the Club, past and present, and the role of the Club’s charity, Wimbledon Foundation within Printing: The Wimbledon Print Company, the local community. 257 Haydons Road, SW19 8TY [email protected] SUE LANG, Honorary Secretary 2 PLANNING COMMITTEE cottage, provides a rental income stream Park Road and stretch from the Oberon Morley Park update to fund the maintenance of the park. Playing Fields in the west up to and COMPLETION OF a new public park Also, during May, new land drains including the long-established footpath within the former Atkinson Morley’s will be laid, while grading and seeding beside the former hospital building. In Hospital open land is now in sight with of the now derelict sports felds will addition to the beneft of sports felds, to handover to Merton Council scheduled take place to provide four new grass the south of the Wolfson Hospital site, a for June 2016. Work has started on a new sports pitches. The pavilion is expected wildfower meadow with an attenuation sports pavilion and a cottage, both close to be completed by September 2016. pond will replace the old soccer to the Cottenham Park Road entrance. The pavilion and sports pitches pitch. The existing well-established There will be another entrance gate are to be used during term time by woodland area will remain with a new from Copse Hill. The pavilion building students of the Ursuline High School pedestrian route through the trees. will provide changing rooms, a multi- and will be available to the community This combination of habitats already purpose hall and teaching room with at other times. attracts a wide variety of wildlife and it catering facilities. The cottage, which The park will occupy the open land is expected to provide a useful area for replaces the former groundsman’s between Copse Hill and Cottenham study and leisure. The Problems with with an organisation that doesn’t All these issues will have to be Plough Lane (continued from p1) actually exist, and using inaccurate considered by Merton’s Planning GP ratio/population assumptions. Applications Committee. We hope provision of play space for children, Sport England: objects to the that they will give due weight to over-dense housing, accessibility application because it fails to the key points put forward by the problems, its ‘isolated’ position amid provide sufficient sporting facilities Society (See article on page 9 of commercial developments, and poor for residents of the proposed high- the March newsletter) such as: transport provision. density housing development or the • the unsuitability of such a flood- The Environment Agency: objects wider local community. prone site for housing, especially at to the application, saying that it Neighbouring Wandsworth the excessive density proposed; fails to: demonstrate that surface Borough Council has also officially • the applicants’ failure to address water can be managed; prove that objected to the application the infrastructure and local it won’t increase flood risk in the because in its current form it fails environmental implications of a surrounding area; show that it helps to properly address and resolve football stadium attracting up to reduce flood risk on the site (most detrimental effects on local 20,000 spectators – poor access of which is a highest risk category infrastructure, as well as the issues to public transport, lack of car- flood plain); indicate that sufficient raised by statutory bodies listed parking space, and local access flood storage compensation is above. arrangements that would not be provided in the development. Our Conservative MP Stephen adequate to deal with the planned Transport for London: points out Hammond says “I think that the number of spectators. that public transport services to impact on the local community and It is clear from the public the site are limited, cycle parking on the social infrastructure must statements made by Cllr Judge, provision is insufficient, taxi drop- be resolved before any application the Cabinet Member whose off points are missing, there is no can be passed. Like many people I portfolio includes planning, that coach management plan for drop- am keen to see AFCW back in the the Council’s main interest is off/pick-up of away fans, travel data borough, but not at the expense of bringing the football club back for match-day impact is inadequate local residents.” to the borough. This undoubtedly and public transport assessment is Tooting’s Labour MP is of will be an added pressure when the incomplete. similar mind. He has written Planning Applications Committee NHS England: rejects the to Wandsworth Council, local has to make its decision. application for failing to consult residents in Earlsfied and Tooting If you want to read more and well with local healthcare bodies over that “issues including local informed comment on the plans for the demands of an increased infrastructure, traffic, parking and the greyhound stadium go to www. population in the area, claiming impact on local infrastructure all ploughlanestadium.wordpress.com to have carried out consultations need to be resolved”. 3 PLANNING COMMITTEE Community assets TO QUALIFY AS A Community Asset, owner wants to sell the site, there a site has to be something that will be a moratorium of up to furthers the community’s social six months during which time a well being.