Leyton Mills/ASDA security update

POLICE3Recently Liberal Democrat councillors attended the Leyton Mills Safer Business Panel. It was held at ASDA in Leyton Mills. Chaired by Police Sergeant Sarah Brewer with the Safer Neighbourhood Team, along with representatives of the shops and businesses in Leyton Mills.

It was noted that the problems with the DVD sellers and the gambling had virtually disappeared now that the Police are there every day. The DVD sellers are occasionally seen popping back to check if the police are still there, but the three-card trick people seem to have gone.

There were presentations about preventing crime in the area and discussion about the affects that the Olympic Park would make on the shopping area. It was agreed that it was important that all the shops and police shared information.

Councillor Bob Sullivan asked about why the boarded up shops that were next to ASDA and opposite TKMaxx had not been let or opened up. Apparently when they were built there was no space planned for air conditioning in the units and a total lack of a delivery area for the shops. Unless someone can come up with an innovative plan, then they will remain boarded up. What a waste!

There is another meeting scheduled for the Autumn. If there are any issues that you would like to bring to our attention about the Leyton Mills shopping area – don’t wait for the Autumn, please get in touch with your Focus Team.

We want our post box back!

Campaigner Neal Chubb urging the return of the post box in Francis RoadSome years ago, the Focus Team campaigned with residents unsuccessfully against the closure of the Post Office in Francis Road. Residents were furious that the closure was swiftly followed by the removal of the post box.

At the time the Focus Team were assured that a new one would be put outside George’s, further down the road.

Well! Where is it? Has our area been forgotten?

Francis Road has declined with retail shops and doctors surgeries closing. It is time to put a stop to it, so the Lib Dem Focus Team is pressing Royal Mail to put our post box back.

Managing the Cricket Ground

The historic pavilion at the Cricket Ground

The Charity Commission has ordered the Council to set up a Management Committee to run the Cricket Ground in Leyton High Road.

It will be made up of eight members – 4 from the Council, 2 from youth organisations and 2 local residents.

If you are a local resident, in Grove Green or Leyton wards, and would like to become a member of this Committee, please contact the Focus Team for further details.

Drapers Field – News Update!

Drapers Field - closed to the public until September 2013

We have manged to get a look at what the Council proposes 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:

To enlarge the Masterplann, click on this link – Drapers Field – masterplan

Latest News

The planning application by the Olympic Development Authority (ODA) to use Drapers Field is still to be submitted to Waltham Forest Council’s Planning Committee. News is that it will go to the Planning Committee on 2nd 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’.

The other not so good news – Councillor Bob Sullivan has been hearing, 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. He 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. Some years ago it was looking to close Leyton Library, but that was saved. Now they are looking to close another one of our local libraries – Harrow Green!

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 Harrow Green 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 has set up a 12 week consultation period ending on Friday 9 September.

The Councils consultation documentation can be accessed by log in on to:

http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/leisure/libraries/library-review.htm

You can also get a copy of the consultation document at any library.

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

‘Save the Cheque’ campaign – SUCCESS

Local Lib Dem campaigners have welcomed news that the UK Payments Council has reversed its decision to scrap cheques.
The campaign to save the cheque was led by Lib Dem MPs and was backed by thousands of people across the UK.
We want to say a huge thank you to all the local people who signed the Lib Dem petition to save the cheque.

” Being able to pay by cheque is especially important for our small businesses, community groups and older people here in the area.
Cheques remain a popular way to pay for millions of people across the UK. Over a billion transactions were made by cheque last year alone.
“This is a great victory for people power and common sense, and proves that the banks cannot afford to ignore the views of their customers.”

Leyton High Road/corner of Hainault Road

Artist impression looking towards Bakers Arms

New plans to develop the corner of Leyton High Road and Hainault Road have been sent to the Council. The picture here shows the artist impression of the last plans that were refused by the Council.

The new plans are for the erection of a 3-5 storey building with an office use on the ground floor, and 23 residential units comprising 4×3 bed houses and 19 flats (8×1 bed, 10×2 bed,and 1×3 bed) with associated parking.

Grove Green FOCUS Newsletter

The latest issue of the Grove Green FOCUS is being delivered across the ward.

If you would like to help us by delivering FOCUS in a road near your home, we would be pleased to hear from you.

You can use the reply page on this website, or get in touch by calling 8556 8335.

You can access the FOCUS here: Grove Green 252

NEW redevelopment plans for Lion & Key public house

Lion & Key - 2010

Many of you who have noticed that development work is going on at the Lion & Key pub at the junction of Leyton High Road and Church Road. Last year plans were received by the Council and agreed for the Lion & Key to be turned into a ‘support and living centre’ for adults with learning difficulties. This included 7 x 1 bed flats and 2 x 2 bed flats. The new plans received are the same, but to change the flats into 5 x 1 bed flats and 4 x 2 bed flats. Leyton Ward Councillor Bob Sullivan believes the ground floor will be a drop in centre.

As a locally listed building the facade i.e. the front of the building will remain and all the development will take place at the back.

Lion & Key on the right of the picture during reconstruction in the 1890sThe pub is regarded to be the oldest in Leyton and was possibly present in 1300, although the first documentary evidence is a possible record of 1579. It closed in 2009.

The picture at the top is the current Lion and Key building. The one to the right is the current building being built around the end of the 18 hundreds.

It is a pity that losing pubs is becoming a regular occurrence in our area.