Drapers Field – further update!

Council's proposal for Drapers Field

We have manged to get a look at what has been planned for Drapers Field.

The Masterplan (above) shows that the all weather pitch will be re-sited and there is inclusion of some beach volleyball play areas. Maybe the Council is thinking of re-applying for the £100,000 lottery money that it had to return last year when they made arrangements to give the site to the Olympic Authority for warehousing space for the Olympics.

Below is a closer look at the planned beach volleyball area:

The beach volleyball area

For a closer look at the Masterplan click on this link:

Drapers Field – masterplan

Drapers Field – update!

Drapers Field - lost to the community for at least 16 months

The planning application by the Olympic Development Authority (ODA) to use Drapers Fieldis is still to be submitted to Waltham Forest Council’s Planning Committee. News is that it will go to the Planning Committee in August. The information regarding how much compensation that the Council will get, through what is known as section 106 and section 111, has still to be finalised.

The money received will be used to improve Abbotts Park, Marsh Lane and of course Drapers Field.

The good news is that the money allocated to Drapers Field will be to re-instate the all-weather pitch and introduce new landscaping, access, and community sports facilities. This is good news, as previously there was no mention of the all-weather pitch, or sports facilities being replaced, only that Drapers would be turned into a ‘special park’.

Leyton Ward Councillor Bob Sullivan reports that other not so good news is that the ODA want to chop down two mature trees so that they can get access to the field by their lorries. He has followed this up and it is being challenged by council officers in the tree department who feel that access can be achieved without chopping down the trees. Councillor Sullivan will update again when he receives any further news on this.

Save Harrow Green Library

Harrow Green Library to be axed by Labour Council
In order to save money our Labour run Waltham Forest Council is making changes to the library system.
  
This includes the closure of our local Harrow Green Library. 

The council admits that, ‘here in the south of the borough, where deprivation is most concentrated, health, education attainment and housing standards are lower, libraries are a focus for communities that enhance people’s quality of life.’      

Libraries alleviate the effects of deprivation.         

The Library building is home to many local groups and activities, as well as the borrowing of books, access to the internet and for study and homework. 50% of the borrowers are children.   
 
The council now has a 12 week consultation period ending on Friday 9 September.   

Please help us to Save Harrow Green Library by signing the petition at:    

 http://ourcampaign.org.uk/HarrowGreenLibrary      

You can also write to Councillor Geraldine Reardon (responsible for libraries) at The Town Hall, Walthamstow E17 6JF  
 

  

  

Church Lane Car Park

A report into car park provision across the borough is to be considered by the Cabinet.

The Church Lane car park is said to be only 43% used, but since there is no suitable on street parking in the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), the report recommends that the hours of operation and maximum stay times should be reviewed to encourage maximum usage. It is likely that charges will be reduced.

Games Area in the car park!!

Strangely, the report also recommends that a ‘multi utility’ area be included in the car park. FOCUS was shocked to discover that this is an area for basket ball, football etc. The FOCUS Team believes that such a move would not encourage more drivers to use the car park. In fact, it might have the opposite effect!

Additionally, a similar scheme has already been rejected when it was proposed at the Leytonstone Community Council.

Surely, it would be far better to locate this facility at the Pastures Youth Centre in Davies Lane.

Please let the FOCUS Team know your views.

You can also contact us via this website.

Cann Hall Road

Lib Dem campaigner Adrian Trett in Cann Hall Road - where the footpath has been narrowed

Over recent months Cann Hall Road has been resurfaced, parking has been taken off the road, new street lighting and trees added. For many this has been a great improvement to the road and the local environment.

 However, the ‘off-road’ parking has meant that pavements have been reduced and some people have complained about difficulties for pushchairs and wheelchair users because there is insufficient space.

 Focus Team member, Adrian Trett welcomes your comments as previously local councillors had discussed this with the local Authority to ensure that path widths were not reduced in the process of creating ‘off-road’ parking.

Improvements to High Road Leytonstone

Our High Road was omitted from the original raft of area improvements in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games.
 
 
Your Cann Hall FOCUS Team was pleased to learn that Transport for London has allocated £2 million for this area.

The following links give access to the Council’s plans:

Northern End, including Shopping Centre

www.walthamforest.gov.uk/high_rd_leytonstone_plana.pdf

Southern End

www.walthamforest.gov.uk/high_rd_leytonstone_planb.pdf

Church Lane and The Plaza

www.walthamforest.gov.uk/high_rd_leytonstone_planc/pdf

Objections received from the Liberal Democrats and London Buses have resulted in amendments to Church Lane and the Plaza, as follows:

THE PLAZA – The road layout has reverted the existing design. It was agreed that the proposals did not allow sufficient space, and access to the public car park and the LT vehicle entrance has been reinstated.

CHURCH LANE – Church Lane now divides into two spurs. One terminates at the emergency barrier while the other leads directly into the car park.

Revised layout Church Lane and The Plaza