Update on the redevelopment of the Nelson Hospital, March 2003

Present:
Ian Ayres Primary Care Trust – Nelson Hospital
Jane Bretton Ad Hoc Business Support
Eileen Brewer Local Resident
Helen Clark Bell Manager, Wimbledon Civic Forum
Paul Coe Local Resident
Tim Day WCF Urban Design Task Force
June Dove Local Resident
Rob Doyle Rutlish Headteacher
Jane Gammage Primary Care Trust
Mary & Tim Fripp Local Residents
Jemma Gilbert Primary Care Trust
Revd John Hillier St Mary’s Church
Mike Hutchins John Innes Society
Bert Hyde Christian Care
Bert Johnson Local Resident
A McCloughlin Local Resident
Martin McCormack Thameslink Loop Manager
John MacDonald Local Resident
Janet Meekings Local Resident
D Miln Local Resident
Elina Needham Local Resident
John Nelson Jones Local Resident
Emma Sheridan London Borough of Merton
Peter Southgate Local Resident
Ian Smith Local Resident
Helen Stanley Local Resident
Alan Walker Wimbledon School of Art
Bob Welchman John Innes Society
Audrey Wood Local Resident
Sarah J Woropay Local Resident

Apologies from:
Roger Casale MP
Marcus Beale
Cllr Jillian Ashton
Steve Rodman London Borough of Merton
Rod Bugg – Wimbledon School of Art,
Mike Reddin
Mrs Susan Tomes - Wimbledon Chase Middle School

Helen Clark Bell introduced herself as the Manager of Wimbledon Civic Forum. She chaired the meeting due to the unavoidable absence of Roger Casale MP and Marcus Beale. She read statements from each of them, endorsing the work of the Nelson Community Reference Group and this String of Pearls Workshop.
A survey of the audience showed representation from local businesses, local organisations and local residents.

HCB gave an overview of the current situation around the Nelson Hospital and the terrific possibilities for regeneration of the surrounding area.

The identified “String of Pearls” who were going to participate in the meeting are: Rutlish School, John Innes Society, Wimbledon School of Art, Sutton & Merton PCT, WCF’s Urban Design Task Force, the NCRG. HCB also acknowledged the presence of Martin McCormack, the Thameslink Loop Manager, Emma Sheridan from LBM, other representatives from the PCT, and local councillors. Much effort had been made to try to contact Merton Park Primary School, the Manager of the BP Petrol Station and Tramlink – all also considered part of the “String of Pearls” as is Wimbledon Chase Middle School who had sent apologies. It is hoped that all these organisations will be able to attend any follow up meeting.

Rob Doyle, Head Teacher of Rutlish School gave an overview of the development going on at the school, and apologised for any inevitable disruption to the locality: this is a two year development. He confirmed the school had no on-going links with the Nelson, but was keen to develop them. He was aware of some anti-Rutlish boys feeling locally, and was working to improve this though it is impossible to keep the boys within the grounds of the School in their breaks due to the current lack of facilities and whilst the building work is going on.

Bob Welchman from the John Innes Society gave an overview of the history of the Society with some interesting anecdotes, such as the reason for so much holly planted in the area. The Society is not against change per se, but keen to promote appropriate development. He mentioned that they were not happy with the architectural drawings for the development at Rutlish. They are justifiably proud of the “garden of Merton Park” and there is a meeting on 7th May covering the first stage of replanting the John Innes Park, which they hope to finish in time for the centenary anniversary of John Innes’ death in 2004.

Alan Walker, Vice Principal, Academic of Wimbledon School of Art. He gave a brief overview of the history of WSA which was formed out of drawing classes at Rutlish School. It is now a major international specialist institution for 800 students, specialising in Fine Art, Theatre Design and Foundation Studies. All staff are research-active which generates government funding. WSA is also keen to foster closer links with the local community: it has an annual exhibition in Cannizaro Park, their end of year exhibitions are open to the public, and they are actively looking for further links into the local community.

Ian Ayres, Chief Executive of Sutton & Merton Primary Care Trust discussed the Nelson Hospital, which is 102 years old, a war memorial and a centre of healthcare. It’s held in great affection by the local community. The PCT took it over five years ago, and the building is now “full” with a range of healthcare services and the headquarters of the PCT. Some refurbishment of the building has been done (painting of the downstairs doors and windows), carpark security improved etc., but the long term aspiration is to redevelop the whole site. This would allow a total rebuild, changing the shape of the building, which was designed for a bed-based hospital whereas the new building will not be bed based, but more community healthcare covering diagnostics, X-rays, outpatient clinics etc. This is envisaged for 4 years time, and will have to be appropriate to fit in with the local area. HCB asked whether there would be more consultation with the local community and IA confirmed that he was a member of the NCRG, which is the best vehicle for this. He’s also keen to link with the three local schools and WSA, and perhaps to provide medical services for their students.

Tim Day from Wimbledon Civic Forum’s Urban Design Task Force explained that the UDTF was keen to act as a facilitator for local debate and local people with concerns should contact them, and these would become agenda items at their meetings. The last major consultation, which was facilitated by the UDTF was in November 2001, at which transport, site usage and public domain issues were discussed. The outcome of these were fed back to the PCT via Wimbledon Civic Forum. The redevelopment of the Nelson gives the local community the opportunity to influence how the development looks, how The Rush and Kingston Road are affected, sustainability issues, energy and pollution issues which can be built into the scheme in due course. Local businesses are currently missing from this debate, and are likely to be affected.
Jane Bretton from Ad Hoc Business Support gave an overview of the Nelson Community Reference Group. It was set up by Roger Casale MP to be a voice for the community regarding the development at the Nelson. Roger’s strong commitment to the Nelson, stemming from his birth there, is well known and he’s pleased to have his Constituency Office there. She listed the members of the NCRG and said that there was a further mailing list of interested parties, who received all documentation about these meetings but didn’t attend the meetings. She asked that anyone who would like to join this mailing list contact her to be put on it, and two members of the audience did this. She outlined the other activities of the Group, including Clean Up Days, and Mike Reddin’s gardening project. The NCRG was keen to use the redevelopment of the Nelson as a lever to improve the whole area.

HCB gave examples of current local redevelopment, such as the BP Garage and the Emma Hamilton Pub. She highlighted RC’s plans for introducing a local Post Office and bank Cash Point into the Nelson. She suggested breaking into discussion groups and read out Marcus’s instructions such as “the barmiest ideas are the best” and “let your imaginations run wild” and “don’t set yourself artificial limits”.
However the audience preferred to ask questions from the floor:·

What plans are there for sporting facilities in the redevelopment?: Ian Smith responded by handing out copies of his Wish List, which focussed on Prevention rather than Cure.

What is the time scale for the redevelopment? IA said that realistically we are looking at another 4 years: the business plan (the Strategic Outline Case) is nearly completed which will lead to draft costings to see whether the SOC is viable, which will lead to planning permission issues.

Bert Johnson underlined the fact that the Nelson redevelopment is at the core of the regeneration of the area and should offer a diversity of services from its geographical position in the heart of the community. Fostered links with local organisations must not become bureaucratic and WCF should act as the catalyst to bring organisations together.

John Nelson Jones asked whether there will be non-health related uses for the new Nelson. IA confirmed it will be a health-dominated development.

Bob Welchman suggested developing the shops in The Rush so local people could walk to them· Rob Doyle stated that a crèche for his staff’s children would be very useful. He also said he wanted to develop a specialist maths and computer centre which would be of use to the local community, as would the gymnasium, but these would be rented out at commercial rates as his development was being funded by PFI. Representative from St Mary’s Church asked whether there would be chaplaincy at the new Nelson. IA said that his was normally provided in a bed-based hospital, and that the Nelson will not be bed based.·
Mike Hutchins asked all to keep public transport issues in mind as the more the new Nelson offered, the more people would have to access them. IA said they were trying to work with LBM and TfL on this and perhaps might be able to arrange extended bus routes.

Would there be A&E on the site? IA said that he hoped there would be a minor injuries centre but no A&E. He also reiterated his hope to offer medical access for the students in the area.

HCB publicized the forthcoming WCF events, and the meeting closed at 8 pm when wine and soft drinks were enjoyed.

Draft Minutes prepared by Ad Hoc Business Support
and approved by Helen Clark Bell
Any comments on these draft Minutes can be communicated to Jane Bretton at Ad Hoc via janebretton@adhocbusiness.co.uk or by telephone on 020 8946 5387 : the Minutes can be amended and they will be re-circulated before the next meeting.