| Topic: | Land Grab Application Picks Up Momentum | |
| Posted by: | John Cameron | |
| Date/Time: | 26/05/17 11:35:00 |
| Page for Planning Application - 2017/2707 Site Address River Terrace abutting 105-115 Deodar Road SW15 2NU Dates Received 08/05/2017 First Advertised Registered 25/05/2017 First Site Notice Valid 09/05/2017 Consultation Expiry 15/06/2017 Validated 25/05/2017 Expiry Date 04/07/2017 Decision Expiry Date of First Consultation 25/05/2017 The land grab application is picking up momentum, it was validated yesterday, 25 May, and the date of the first consultation is also noted as 25 May (its not, as the consultation hasn't started). I have spoken this morning the extremely helpful Cathy Molloy, the WBC planning officer dealing with the application. Cathy confirmed that she was handed the application yesterday, and is was validated. I asked Cathy about the legally required consultation, and she confirmed that the clock should start ticking from next Thursday (1 June) - assuming that the planning notice appears in the Wandsworth Guardian. The consultation period is 21 days, so will end around 22 June. The consultation letters are being prepared and Cathy confirmed they will go to FOUR homes - all adjacent to the site. I suggested that four homes doesn't seem very many, but it ticks the box for neighbours it seems Cathy doesn't think that Historic England need to be contacted, despite the listed Grade II park adjacent, but agreed to look into this further. The WBC Conservation officer will be consulted as the land is within a Conservation Zone Site notices will be put up shortly, including at the entrance to Wandsworth Park. I asked if the Deodar Road Residents' Association were being consulted, but Cathy hadn't heard of them, nor the Friends of Wandsworth Park. Cathy was unable to comment that the FofWP have been making enquiries about the land for two years, but been ignored by Wandsworth. I pointed out that the application was made at the instigation of Wandsworth (as freeholder), which Cathy wasn't aware of, despite the letter accompanying the application which states... "Part of the requirements of the Council is that the potential tenant shall make a Planning Application for the work and accordingly we attach a Full Planning Application along with our cheque in the sum of £195.00 in payment of the application fee.". Cathy seemed relaxed in terms of the self evident and very material conflict of interest, given that WBC are the freeholder (who will benefit commercially from the change of use) and the LPA (Local Planning Authority) who will determine the application. As Cllr Jim Maddan said at the time of the appallingly poor Putney Hospital land grab application (1,200 objections, approved)...."you need to understand that this is an application by Wandsworth to Wandsworth and it will be granted". A local councillor can of course insist that the application is 'called in', which means in effect that is MUST be decided by the full planning committee. If you feel that the land grab application should go to the full planning committee, please drop a email to any or all of the Thamesfield Councillors. Two councillors live in Deodar Road, and are well placed to represent views of residents. The local councillors are; Rosemary Torrington (lives across the road from the land grab) rtorrington@wandsworth.gov.uk Mike Ryder (lives along the road from the land grab) mryder@wandsworth.gov.uk Jim Maddan jmaddan@wandsworth.gov.uk |