From Larkswood Councillors John Moss, Catherine Saumarez and Selina Seesunkur
The Council published the Site Allocations document which lists over 75 sites Labour has potentially earmarked for development. The New Road Leisure Centre site which includes the Leisure Centre, nursery and land to the rear of the Leisure Centre, is the largest proposed development in our ward. With 310 residential units planned for the site this is an attack on the heart of Larkswood’s green space and retail area, putting established trees and wildlife at risk.
This map shows the whole site ear marked for development.
The Council have proposed over 100 homes near the border of Larks Wood, which will be harmful to the wildlife and natural habitat which borders the Larks Wood. A further 200 homes are planned for the rest of the site, which means the already busy New Road would face further congestion. It will also place pressure on community infrastructure like GPs and Schools.
This Map shows Site A (the green space bordering Larks Wood earmarked for development) and Site B.
The Council have proposed over 100 homes near the border of Larks Wood, which will be harmful to the wildlife and natural habitat which borders the Larks Wood. A further 200 homes are planned for the rest of the site, which means the already busy New Road would face further congestion. It will also place pressure on community infrastructure like GPs and Schools.
Stopping this proposal will take a huge community effort and there are two things we really need as many people as possible to do:
Step One: Sign Our Petition here
and
Step Two: Write to planning.policy@walthamforest.gov.uk asking the Council to protect our Green Space
Working with the Friends of Ainslie and Larkswood, Love South Chingford and the Highams Park Plan Group we are looking to protect the green open space at risk around the Leisure Centre site and we need as many residents as possible to write into the Council consultation before Monday 14 December 2020.
A letter template has been provided for residents below:
Letter Template
Courtesy of the Highams Park Plan Group
Dear Sir/Madam
I wish to respond to the consultation Shaping the Borough Waltham Forest Local Plan LP2 Draft Site Allocations Document. I would ask the Council to designate the land to the rear of Larkswood Leisure Centre as a Local Green Space.
Please then give your reasons why you feel the land should be designated as a Local Green Space. Please reference some or all of the criteria for Local Green Space designation as set out in paragraph 100 of the National Planning Policy Framework:
- The land needs to be “in reasonably close proximity to the community it serves””
This probably speaks for itself – you may wish to point out you live close by and use it frequently.
- The land needs to be “demonstrably special to a local community””
Please explain why you feel the land is demonstrably special to the local community e.g.
- Beauty: Please explain why you think the site is beautiful for example you may wish to comment on the wild nature of the site, the wild flowers, the number of trees wildlife etc and how it links with Larks Wood.
- Historic significance: You may wish to comment on the land historically being part of Larks Wood and before that part of the greater ancient woodland of Epping Forest.
- Recreational value: You may wish to comment on the number of recreational activities e.g. walking, children’s dens, views, bird watching and how this affects your own well being
- Tranquillity: You may wish to draw attention to the tranquillity of the site and how the site offers an oasis of calm in an increasingly busy and suburban area or that it is a truly unique area due to its wild nature
- Richness of wildlife: Please comment on any wildlife you are aware of in the area and how it acts as a buffer land between developed land and Larks Wood.
- The land needs to be “local in character and is not an extensive tract of land”
Again this probably speaks for itself clearly as the land is self-contained with boundaries on all sides. It is not an extensive tract of land being only 2.94 Hectares and much smaller than other Local Green Spaces that have been designated (such as Larks Wood and Larkswood Playing Fields).
Kind regards
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Ends]