FORA letter calling for public meeting on August 15
FOREST RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
FORA
TO: FORA MEMBERS AND NEIGHBOURS
FROM: FORA Committee
WE ARE CALLING A PUBLIC MEETING
TUESDAY 15TH AUGUST, 8PM,
ST ANDREW'S CHURCH
BECAUSE AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN LODGED TO BUILD FLATS ON
St Andrew's Old Church Hall site, Poppleton Road E11.
PLEASE ATTEND! TELL NEIGHBOURS!
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR OUR AREA.
WE ALSO URGE YOU TO CONTACT THE COUNCIL WITH YOUR COMMENTS. SEE OVERLEAF FOR DETAILS.
Newlon Housing Association has applied to build a two storey building with a high roof comprising 9 flats on this site. Accommodation planned would be
5 x two bed flats (one with wheelchair access) and 4 x one bed flats.
The site is at the rear of St Andrew's Church on Poppleton Road; where the old church hall was burnt down in two arsons attacks in 2002 and 2003.
The Council submitted an application for 13 flats in 2005, but permission was refused. The Council sold the site earlier this year to Newlon, a registered housing association, i.e. a social landlord which develops and manages 'affordable' homes.
While we understand that the Council feels there is need for additional affordable housing in this area, we think this site is inappropriate for the following main reasons:
1. There will be a change of use. The old church hall site has always been for communal purposes. The old church hall was used by the school for physical exercise, and before that for communal activities, such as wedding receptions, dances. We think that the site should be retained for communal purposes and suggest that it is used for a communal garden or something similar that all local residents can use.
2. There are several new housing developments in the area already, including one by Newlon in Forest Road, E11. The area is already densely populated. Local infrastructure - like hospitals, schools, recreational facilities -- is straining to meet existing needs. Parking is an issue. We think that housing on this site would be an overdevelopment.
3. Since the hall was burnt down the rear windows to the church have been exposed revealing very attractive stained glass windows. The landscape in this area has been enhanced by this. The Church recently was given Grade II listing in recognition. Any structure built on this site would obscure these architecturally and culturally significant east facing windows again from public view.
4. The building that Newlon is proposing is not in keeping with the listed buildings ie the St Andrew?s Church and Leytonstone School or the houses in the Conservation area surrounding it, ie in Forest Glade or other streets in the area, such as Poppleton Road or Forest Road. Any building within a conservation area must enhance the area and not detract from it.
We would like to know what FORA and other residents think about what should be done with the site.
Meanwhile, we encourage you to make your own representations in writing by 24 August 2006. You are welcome to use any of the points we make above and of course do include your own.
The address to send your letter is: Planning Offices, LBWF, Municipal Offices, 16 The Ridgeway, Chingford E4 6PS (tel 020 8496 6312).
Address your letter to The Planning Officer.
Please put clearly on your letter the reference: ?Planning application: 2006/0953, St Andrew's Hall, Site 129 Poppleton Road, Leytonstone, London E11, Erection of a two storey building comprising
9 self-contained flats.
Please ensure your name, address and contact details are given.
You could also email your comments to the planning officer involved: richard.murrell@lbwf.gov.uk. As with a letter, your name, address and the application details must be stated. We do recommend you post your letter, and allow plenty of time, which means it can go straight into the file, rather than having to be downloaded and printed off first.
.
The plans for the proposed flats can be seen also on Sundays,
at 11am, St Andrew's Church, following Sunday Service.
For more information or help, please contact, Carla Reid-Adam, FORA,
224 Hainault Road, E11, info.fora@hotmail.com, www.forestresidents.org.uk
With kind regards from FORA committee.
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