| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Are there residential caravans on Putney Common | |
| Posted by: | John Horrocks | |
| Date/Time: | 11/06/10 13:11:00 |
| The Chairman of the Wimbledon & Putney Commons Conservators, Andrew Simon, lives in Wimbledon, so he is not as familiar with this website as I am. As one of the five locally elected Commons Conservators, I am happy to try to answer the concerns that people have about our Commons. One of the other elected Conservators, Mrs Diana de Coverly Veale, lives directly adjoining Putney Lower Common. I live in Roehampton, near to Putney Heath. I have been to the Lower Common to see for myself the intrusion of travellers onto the main showground area of the Common, to the west of Putney Hospital. They moved onto the Common as the last of the fair operator's vehicles were moving off a few days ago. At that moment, the usual obstuctions at the central vehicular entrance to the large field to the north of the Lower Richmond Road, were not in place - to allow the fair's vehicles to leave. The travellers seized this opportunity to gain access. Yesterday afternoon, I observed a group of three vehicles, two caravans and various boxes, dogs, etc., by the large willow tree on the east side of the showground. They have no permission to be there. The Conservators' Clerk & Ranger, Gordon Vincent, has instructed the Conservators' solicitors to take immediate legal action to secure the removal of the travellers. I understand that the legal process can take up to ten days to run its course. This issue will be discussed at the Conservators' next Board Meeting which is next Monday 14 June at the Infomation Centre near the Windmill on Wimbledon Common, starting at 5.0pm. Members of the public are invited to attend - those who arrive early are offered a cup of tea and an opportunity to talk to the Conservators before the formal meeting opens. Anyone wanting an update on this issue should phone the Conservators' office on 0208 788 7655. Another opportunity to discuss this, and any other issues concerning the Commons, will be at the Conservators' Annual Open Meeting which, this year, is to be on Monday 21 June at 8.0pm at The Cornerstone - this is the Roehampton Parish Hall on the corner of Alton Road and Roehampton Lane, Roehampton. I would urge anyone with concerns about any aspect of the Conservators' management of our Commons to come to this meeting to have your say. |