OLYMPIC PARK – SO MUCH FOR LEGACY!!

Last year a planning application was submitted for the creation of London’s largest concrete and asphalt factory – right at the centre of the Olympic Park, and in the middle of a dense residential area.

This development would have a dramatic impact on the local area and residents, creating 3 concrete batching plants and an Asphalt production plant adjacent to a heavily used green space.

The proposed plants, which will be next door to London Athletics and the new UCL East campus, are to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with an estimated 900 heavy vehicles coming and going daily.

This will create an industrial blight on the area by introducing significant air, dust and noise pollution to what is otherwise a fast regenerating part of the city.

The planning applications have been submitted as four (4) wholly independent operations, without consideration given to their cumulative effects on an area now defined by new residential communities, pedestrian and cycling routes, recreational zones and athletics venues. There is a serious risk that hazardous chemical dust from concrete and asphalt manufacturing activities and associated vehicle fumes will raise air pollution to dangerous levels, resulting in asthma and other respiratory issues for the populations of Newham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

The full applications can be found on LLDC’s planning website at http://planningregister.londonlegacy.co.uk/swift/apas/run/wphappcriteria.display : PA Refs: 15/00368/FUL / 15/00400/FUL / 15/00414/FUL / 16/00194/SCRES].

The proposal is scheduled for review before the London Legacy Development Corporation’s (LLDC) planning committee as early as September 27th 2016. The LLDC was given special powers and a remit directly from the Mayor’s office to manage the Olympic Park area regeneration beyond 2012.

The LLDC is not directly accountable to local residents in the same way that the councils of Newham, Tower Hamlets or Hackney are. Consequently, the decision making of the LLDC will not always be in the interests of local residents. And it is the LLDC alone that has the final decision on whether this concrete batching development goes ahead.

The proposal of the concrete works is completely incompatible with the Mayor’s office ‘Clean Air for London Policy‘ or the current direction of residential and other developments planned for the area.

In order to protect the integrity and future development of the community, it is of paramount importance that a concerted effort be made by local residents and businesses to oppose this planning proposal NOW.

Please sign the petition today.

CHILCOT REPORT – Proud of my party for leading the way

Today is a day for reflection, as we consider the consequences of the fateful decision to go to war in Iraq.

Our first thoughts need to be with the families across the world who have grieved loved ones, experienced life-changing injuries, and witnessed destruction and despair often beyond description.

There is no justice that can compensate their loss, and today we have learned from the Chilcot Report what we all knew already in our hearts – it did not have to be this way.

Lib Dems were united in our opposition to war

For many members in my local party, the Iraq war was a genuine turning point.

Many others chose to join the Liberal Democrats when they saw Charles Kennedy step up to the challenge, in difficult times, and provide the strong, principled leadership our country so desperately needed.

In 2003, every Liberal Democrat MP voted AGAINST going to war in Iraq.

It was the right thing to do, and that has been proven again today. Sir John Chilcot’s report has shown that this was a war of choice, that options for a peaceful resolution still existed, and that our Prime Minister wilfully mislead parliament and the British people to march us into a war he had already decided to launch.

I was proud to see our leader Charles Kennedy refuse to compromise, despite enormous pressure and abuse pouring in from all sides, on the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to internationalism and respect for international law.

Charles Kennedy and Lynne Featherstone (Lib Dem MPs at the time) opposing the war

You can see Charles’ speeches below, he was a real example of principled leadership in a time of crisis. It is not just Liberal Democrats who are missing Charles today. Our whole country is all the poorer without him.

Finally, while Chilcot gives us the chance to reflect on past mistakes, we still have a duty to oppose the mistakes that our leaders are making today!

Right now, Britain risks cutting herself off from our most valuable allies and trading partners, putting millions of jobs at risk and doing massive harm to our economy. I’m proud of Tim Farron for showing equal determination and leadership to fight Brexit and put Britain back where we belong, at the heart of an open, tolerant, free, and prosperous Europe.

If you agreed with us in 2003, if you agree with us now in 2016 – it is time to join the party that is proudly and passionately fighting for the better future we all believe in.

P.S. You can see some great videos of Charles Kennedy’s speeches on Iraq in Parliament and at the anti-way rally in Hyde Park here (via Lib Dem Voice)

GROVE GREEN FOCUS NEWSLETTER 279

The latest edition of the FOCUS Newsletter has just gone to press.

It will be delivered free of charge to every household in Grove Green Ward by our team of volunteers.

Please contact Bob Sullivan on (020) 8556 8335 or email him on bobsullivan@btinternet.com if you would like to help deliver the FOCUS near your home, or would like to join the Liberal Democrats.

All offers are most welcome.

Access an advance copy of the newsletter here: Grove Green 279

GEORGE TOMLISON PRIMARY

Parents petition delivered to the Council

20 Jun 2016 — A delegation of pupils from George Tomlinson School delivered our petition to Councillor Grace Williams at Waltham Forest Town Hall this afternoon. We look forward to receiving a response from the Council shortly.
Thank you for your continued support.
Our campaign continues.

GEORGE TOMLINSON SCHOOL: PARENTS PETITION

George Tomlinson School

The Lime Academy Trust has been put into George Tomlinson Community School in Leytonstone, even though it isn’t an Academy. They are making profound, damaging changes to the  school.

The hard-working Governing Body were put in an impossible position and forced to resign. Since Lime have taken control of the school, there have been unexplained staff changes and disappearances, damaging changes to Special Educational Needs provision, sports coaching, and to Golden Time, which is the foundation of our school’s behaviour policy.

The parents of the school are unhappy with the way these changes are affecting their children, and are campaigning to preserve and stop the continual dismantling of the school.

In 2012 Ofsted found the school to be good with outstanding features. It is in a diverse area of East London. The school is still maintained by the Local Authority.

The petition is calling for the London Borough of Waltham Forest to remove the Lime Academy Trust Partnership from George Tomlinson School and to be replaced by a new Interim head teacher with no links to any Academy or Academy Trust until a permanent head teacher is in place.

Please sign our petition here

GROVE GREEN FOCUS NEWSLETTER 278

The latest edition of the FOCUS Newsletter has just gone to press.

It will be delivered free of charge to every household in Grove Green Ward by our team of volunteers.

Please contact Bob Sullivan on (020) 8556 8335 or email him on bobsullivan@btinternet.com if you would like to help deliver the FOCUS near your home, or would like to join the Liberal Democrats.

All offers are most welcome.

Access an advance copy of the newsletter here: Grove Green 278

GROVE GREEN FOCUS NEWSLETTER 276

The latest edition of the FOCUS Newsletter has just gone to press.

It will be delivered free of charge to every household in Grove Green Ward by our team of volunteers.

Please contact Bob Sullivan on (020) 8556 8335 or email him on bobsullivan@btinternet.com if you would like to help deliver the FOCUS near your home, or would like to join the Liberal Democrats.

All offers are most welcome.

Access an advance copy of the newsletter here: Grove Green 276

GROVE GREEN FOCUS NEWSLETTER 275

The latest edition of the FOCUS Newsletter has just gone to press.

It will be delivered free of charge to every household in Grove Green Ward by our team of volunteers.

Please contact Bob Sullivan on (020) 8556 8335 or email him on bobsullivan@btinternet.com if you would like to help deliver the FOCUS near your home, or would like to join the Liberal Democrats.

All offers are most welcome.

Access an advance copy of the newsletter here: Grove Green 275

RESIDENTS PROTESTS IGNORED

Residents gathered outside the Town Hall to protest about road closures in the ‘Mini Holland’ scheme

Residents protest ignored!

The recent protest by over 1,200 residents against the road closures in Walthamstow and Leyton showed that the Council’s Mini Holland plans, including closing local roads, does not have the support of all residents despite the Council saying that they had.

Protesters not against the scheme or cyclists, but against road closures
The protesters went out of their way to say that they were not against the scheme or cyclists, but against the road closures. The Council’s plans have succeeded in causing division and anger across the Borough. The closing of roads has forced vehicles onto the already congested main roads like Lea Bridge, Hoe Street, and Leyton High Road and has resulted in a massive slow down of traffic, increased congestion and increased pollution.

Congestion and pollution bad for all
All of this is detrimental to residents, cyclists, pedestrians and bus users. Focus Team member Bob Sullivan, who was in the Town Hall listening to the Mini Holland debate, was appalled by the Labour Council restricting residents from hearing the debate, as they only allowed 12 protesters in, although the chamber can hold over a hundred. He was shocked by the arrogant, illiberal attitude with which Labour Councillors treated residents’ concerns. They were not prepared to review the Mini Holland plans despite residents’ requests and their own Labour MP’s request.

Council continues to ignore residents
They are, in fact, going to ignore residents and continue to put in similar divisive plans across Leyton, Leytonstone and Chingford!

GROVE GREEN FOCUS NEWSLETTER 273

The latest edition of the FOCUS Newsletter has just gone to press.

It will be delivered free of charge to every household in Grove Green Ward by our team of volunteers.

Please contact Bob Sullivan on (020) 8556 8335 or email him on bobsullivan@btinternet.com if you would like to help deliver the FOCUS near your home, or would like to join the Liberal Democrats.

All offers are most welcome.

Access an advance copy of the newsletter here: Grove Green 273