FARA committee member Flash Bristow has started blogging for the Waltham Forest Guardian. She will be writing about all kinds of topics, including local ones, so if any FARA members would like to suggest a topic please email her: flash@gorge.org
Read Flash’s blog on the Waltham Forest Guardian community blogs page: http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/blogs
Users of Wanstead Flats will have noticed that preparatory work on the new Thames Water pipeline has begun. FARA committee member Flash Bristow attended a recent drop-in session for members of the public – this is what she learned about the water works:
Re: road closures – Bushwood itself will be closed in short sections (i.e. a rolling closure) but Bush Road (used for the rat run up to the Green Man) will be fine although the pipeline does cross it.
They think the only problem we would have is if anyone is displaced from Bushwood onto other routes, but it’s such a residential area that I doubt they will do that.
They are also avoiding the SSSI and the stag beetle habitats, and where they have to cut through acid grassland they are cutting and stacking the turf to replace afterwards. In areas of poorer quality grassland where it cannot be cut, they will collect local seeds and replant.
From now on, the ‘Temple’ will be opening every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-5pm. It contains displays on the history of the park from Roman times onwards, a gift shop, and knowlegeable volunteers on hand to answer any queries from visitors.
New Council planning guidelines have banned conversions of houses into flats in eight wards including Cann Hall and Leytonstone. Also more investment has gone into the planning enforcement team, meaning it is better placed to tackle rogue developers.
Read the full story in the Waltham Forest Guardian
Kind Construction (528-532 High Rd) have made a ‘change of use’ application (no 2008/0693) to convert the rear part of their first floor from storage into office space. There are some concerns over whether the new offices will result in loss of privacy for some residents in Malvern Road (and the plans are not clear as to whether replacement windows will be put in). Also the new office space is for 23 additional staff, whereas there will only be an additional 5 parking spaces on-site.
More information on the Council’s planning portal
Dr Samuel (108-110 Harrow Rd) has applied to extend the GP surgery with a front extension for pharmacy, rear extensions for additional consulting rooms and a new second floor to provide offices, meeting room and kitchen. This application is slightly away from FARA’s “patch” but may be of interest as this is the doctor’s surgery used by many local residents.
More information on the planning portal
The E11 BID (Business Improvement District) has published a Spring Newsletter on its website. Apparently there is a new Town Centre Manager for Leytonstone in place, which may come as a surprise to many residents.
For more on this, and progress on other plans to improve Leytonstone town centre, click the link to see the newsletter (opens a PDF file): http://www.e11bid.co.uk/docs/Spring%20Newsletter%202008.pdf.
