News: December 2009 Archives
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
I write in support of the view that the restoration of Walthamstow Dog Track as a viable commercial enterprise is both possible and desirable, and would be in the best interests of the people of Walthamstow.
For many visitors and tourists the Dog Track defines E17, and the story of its development is for many the story of the changing East End of London. It has entertained not only local residents but brought people and investment to the area. It was also one of our major local employers with many jobs that were part time or flexible, so suitable for those with family commitments. Its closure in 2007 meant Walthamstow lost an iconic piece of local heritage and nearly 500 people lost their livelihoods.
Regeneration should not only be about the physical investment such as transport links or high quality housing but also the provision of "places to go, and things to do". Walthamstow struggles to offer many activities to fit this description meaning local residents often leave the area for leisure pursuits. This also means there is a lack of inward investment from visitors. Despite the challenging economic conditions of the last eighteen months, there has been persistent interest from commercial organisations in restoring the Dog Track. This highlights how there is not only a social but an economic case for action and that any such development would be highly likely to prosper. Indeed, the site is well suited to such activities, being close to main roads and transport hubs yet contained away from nearby residential properties.
I recognise that Waltham Forest is in desperate need of affordable housing and I want to participate in finding viable solutions to this challenge for our community. I also know it is difficult to identify other sites locally that could provide the opportunity for large-scale leisure facilities. I am hopeful that an acceptable deal for the site could be reached which could in turn finance alternative local housing provision.
As a local community activist I fear Walthamstow becoming a "dormitory town". It is why I have campaigned for many years to retain and expand the provision of venues that can offer jobs as well as entertainment for local residents. I hope that both the prospective buyers and the current owners of the site, London and Quadrant, will commit themselves to negotiations to see if a sale could be achieved for the benefit of our local people and ultimately our local economy and community.
I write in support of the view that the restoration of Walthamstow Dog Track as a viable commercial enterprise is both possible and desirable, and would be in the best interests of the people of Walthamstow.
For many visitors and tourists the Dog Track defines E17, and the story of its development is for many the story of the changing East End of London. It has entertained not only local residents but brought people and investment to the area. It was also one of our major local employers with many jobs that were part time or flexible, so suitable for those with family commitments. Its closure in 2007 meant Walthamstow lost an iconic piece of local heritage and nearly 500 people lost their livelihoods.
Regeneration should not only be about the physical investment such as transport links or high quality housing but also the provision of "places to go, and things to do". Walthamstow struggles to offer many activities to fit this description meaning local residents often leave the area for leisure pursuits. This also means there is a lack of inward investment from visitors. Despite the challenging economic conditions of the last eighteen months, there has been persistent interest from commercial organisations in restoring the Dog Track. This highlights how there is not only a social but an economic case for action and that any such development would be highly likely to prosper. Indeed, the site is well suited to such activities, being close to main roads and transport hubs yet contained away from nearby residential properties.
I recognise that Waltham Forest is in desperate need of affordable housing and I want to participate in finding viable solutions to this challenge for our community. I also know it is difficult to identify other sites locally that could provide the opportunity for large-scale leisure facilities. I am hopeful that an acceptable deal for the site could be reached which could in turn finance alternative local housing provision.
As a local community activist I fear Walthamstow becoming a "dormitory town". It is why I have campaigned for many years to retain and expand the provision of venues that can offer jobs as well as entertainment for local residents. I hope that both the prospective buyers and the current owners of the site, London and Quadrant, will commit themselves to negotiations to see if a sale could be achieved for the benefit of our local people and ultimately our local economy and community.
Many readers have contacted me about how to help action to assist those who are currently sleeping rough in Walthamstow. The causes of homelessness locally are complex and many. That's why I want to pay tribute to the work being done by many of our faith communities to help these local residents as well as those in danger of losing their homes. I'm working with them to help support these services and in particular the provision of local day and nightshelter services. The groups running these facilities would really appreciate help with two things. Could you spare some time to volunteer at these facilities? Alternatively, the shelters at local churches also need food and would welcome donations of bread, margarine, tea, coffee, milk, sugar etc for a light breakfast and dried foods rice/pasta, tinned tuna etc so they can provide an evening meal. If you could help us with either or both of these requests for assistance let me know.
I promised to pass on the responses I received from the local council to the points residents raised at our recent community meeting with Ed Miliband MP. I've now received this first response, from Cllr Marie Pye:
"Many thanks for the detailed information. Certainly all of the feedback that I have heard about the meeting has been incredibly positive so thank you for organising this. In terms of the areas directly related to my portfolio I can assure you that we are in the process of looking at the various options for recycling in blocks of flats. This is an important priority for both myself and officers."
"Additionally we are working closely with private landlords to improve the quality of their dwellings and to increase the number of private sector properties which reached the decency standards. Reaching decency undoubtedly has a positive impact on the fuel efficiency of a property. As you know the government provided us with access to £92 million to undertake this work for council housing.
The other issue which does not directly arise relates to the linkages between climate change and community cohesion. As you know Waltham Forest Council was fortunate enough to get the RSA to host an expert seminar led by us on this subject last week. This was addressed by Jonathan Porritt, Helen Ghosh and Maria Adobawole. The linkages between these two issues are immense and we will continue to initiate and lead both discussion and action in this area."
If you have any comments or further questions about this please do get in touch with Cllr Pye.
"Additionally we are working closely with private landlords to improve the quality of their dwellings and to increase the number of private sector properties which reached the decency standards. Reaching decency undoubtedly has a positive impact on the fuel efficiency of a property. As you know the government provided us with access to £92 million to undertake this work for council housing.
The other issue which does not directly arise relates to the linkages between climate change and community cohesion. As you know Waltham Forest Council was fortunate enough to get the RSA to host an expert seminar led by us on this subject last week. This was addressed by Jonathan Porritt, Helen Ghosh and Maria Adobawole. The linkages between these two issues are immense and we will continue to initiate and lead both discussion and action in this area."
If you have any comments or further questions about this please do get in touch with Cllr Pye.
As the diplomats get stuck into negotiating at Copenhagen, you may also like to sign up to Ed Miliband's pledge to show the need for an ambitious deal in cutting carbon emissions across the world. You can also ask your friends to support the pledge.
Finally, thank you also to everyone from Walthamstow who took part in the Stop Climate Change Chaos Wave demonstration last weekend. Despite the rain over 40,000 people took part. That shows how important it is to the UK that we tackle climate change.
As part of this project, I am looking for volunteers to help in spreading information locally about how we can all cut our carbon footprint. If you would like to be part of this process please do get in touch.
As part of this project, I am looking for volunteers to help in spreading information locally about how we can all cut our carbon footprint. If you would like to be part of this process please do get in touch.
Thank you to everyone who came to our community meeting with
Ed Miliband last Thursday. Over 250 local residents participated in the discussion, representing many different aspects of Walthamstow. It was inspiring to hear them come together to talk with such knowledge and passion about how we can tackle climate change. A big thank you to Willowfield School, staff, parents and pupils for their help and participation as well.
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If you'd like to respond to the ideas in this document - or correct any misreadings of handwriting - you can find it all on Facebook here As we mentioned at the event, I'll be attending The Wave this Saturday 5th December, along with Ed Miliband. The Wave has been organised by the StopClimate Change Chaos coalition. It's a rally for action on climate change and part of a global series of public actions.
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The Wave will call on world leaders to take urgent action to secure a fair international deal to stop global
warming exceeding the danger threshold of 2 degrees C. We will be leaving Walthamstow at 11.30am on
Saturday to join the rally in Grosvenor Square in central London before the march starts at 1pm. The nearest tube is Bond Street. If you would like to join me and other local residents on this event to show your support for action on climate change, please getin touch.
