Chatsworth Road Neighbourhood Plan presentation

Chatsworth Road Neighbourhood Plan from Peter Dickinson on Vimeo.

The study area is roughly defined by Lea Bridge Road to the north, Lower Clapton Road to the west, Homerton Road to the south and the Lee Navigational canal to the east. The study aims to establish a coherent vision for the long term future of the area, to influence the planning process and to promote the area to attract investment. To do this we need to identify what the community aspires the qualities of their neighbourhood to be in the future and what the main issues are today. 

You can help by filling a short survey at

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHRoT0I5cVZFQTJpMl9fc1Rta0d1eHc6MQ

 No neighbourhood within Clapton has an Action Plan and Central & Upper Clapton needs something just as badly as Chatsworth.
Rather than attempting a Clapton wide Area Action Plan ourselves, a huge and very expensive undertaking which though promised since 2005, the council and planning dept. has refused to do) more self contained local area neighbourhood plans are taking shape, not just because they are more manageable, but because they are self evident local areas with their own natural and sustainable centres.

Some members of the Clapton Arts Trust, with many other groups and individuals, are working on a presentation/consultation, proposing something similar to the above Chatsworth Road Neighbourhood Plan, but for Clapton - specifically the area centred around the Lea Bridge roundabout - draft title: "Vision for Clapton" - also in expectation of the Localism Bill and as a result of the Clapton Conference - and should be ready soon

See the "ClaptonVision2011" page

Let's hope we can collectively set some benchmarks for our local environment, both visual and architectural as well as making sure the future is built with quality of life and community well-being paramount - not developers margins or regional targets.


If we'd had a local plan with accompanying specific planning documents, we might have saved the tram depot and helped ensure the future of resident artisans live/work spaces - we might have saved the synagogue on Lea Bridge Road - we might have stopped some of the sub-division of family homes into tiny flats - and a lot more.


One of the advantages of local plans like this is that they originate from local residents and are not dropped in from above by people who do not live here.


Another advantage is that they can be really inclusive, as all and every local group or resident has the opportunity to attend meetings such as the Clapton Conference, respond to questionnaires and consultations both at the developmental stage and then later as the council and planning dept. takes the lead and formal consultations are held. 


Mind you, I personally believe something with the power and scope of a full blown Area Action Plan is still needed in addition to local plans (and more explicit planning documents), however, planning law is changing - that is, apart from the fact the many local Clapton councillors and residents have been demanding an AAP for years, were promised one in 2005, then told there wasn't the money or need for one and that an AAP was definitely not going to happen.
(see last years AAP campaign posters here, with petition and lots of info)


We should know what the new planning landscape will look like and what it will mean in practice very soon.


Randall MacDonald has promised to come back to the Clapton Conference and explain what the new planning guidelines are and what we, the local residents can do.




          by David White


•


The next meeting of
The Clapton Conference

Mon 11th July

7.30pm start

at

St. John's Ambulance Hall

in Mildenhall Rd


This meeting is for all people living and working in Clapton to find out what is happening across the area and possibly raise issues of concern with officers and councillors present to help sort out matters, or to direct you to those people who can assist.

http://claptonpond.org/clapton-conference/

 RSVP or for more information, please contact:
Ian Rathbone, Chair, Clapton Pond Neighbourhood Action Group [CPNAG]
Mobile: 07890 654 068   e-mail: Ian.Rathbone@tiscali.co.uk

See also

http://mountpleasantlane.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/clapton-conference-debates-localism-bill/

• • •


Essex Wharf Deadline for action 22nd June


If you haven't already, please do ask the Lea Valley Regional Park Authority's executive committee to pursue the Judicial Review against Waltham Forest's decision to approve the Essex Wharf redevelopment.


building on the green belt is one thing
building on what is in effect an inner city park
is just unbelievable


For more information and how to contact the executive committee
just scroll down a few posts or click here