LB Merton Planning and Environment

Notes of a meeting held at 8th Floor Civic Centre LB Merton on 9
March 2009.

Present
Sarah Tanburn [SCT] LB Merton
Sue Harris [SHr] LB Merton
John Hill [JH] LB Merton
Diane Neil-Mills [DNM] LB Merton
Stephen Hammond [SHm] MP
Marcus Beale [MB] RIBA pair of MP, Chair Wimbledon Civic Forum

1. The purpose of the meeting was:
- to re-establish regular meetings between MP, RIBA architect pair of MP, head of planning, head of environment, which review matters of importance for Wimbledon, with notes posted on the WCF website
- to discuss some specific issues: Visions for Wimbledon, Raynes Park Eco-Park
- to discuss how to integrate local initiatives, for example Raynes Park, Wimbledon Town Centre, Wimbledon Chase, with council initiatives such as the street design exercise being carried out by Gillespies.

2.1. 'Visions for Wimbledon' is a report being produced by WCF, Merton Chamber, and Wimbledon Society and the MP. The team involved includes: Tony Michael (architect and planner), Tony Edwards of Place (urban design), Marcus Beale (architect), Mark Leclerq (Wimbledon Society) Diana Sterck (Merton Chamber), and Stephen Hammond (MP). It builds on a series of public meetings held in 2008 and before, and aims to propose positive measures about how the town centre will be shaped in the next 50 years. There are a number of major sites which will be developed, and a number of opportunities, for example the station forecourt, where with proper consideration, we can improve and enhance the quality of life, enhance cultural life, improve streetscape and accessibility and make the streets more pedestrian-friendly. The Civic Hall (Amenity) is also on the agenda. It will look at the long term, and key sites, but will also identify short term opportunities for 2012. The report will be launched at a public meeting on 30 April 2009.

2.2. The relationship of LB Merton to this report. LBM will welcome but not own the report. MB and SHm will be given a copy of LBM's draft report on public realm: part 1 Public Realm Strategy and part 2 Street Design Guide. Part 3, a design brief for three town centres will be looking at Wimbledon Station Forecourt and will be ready in about 6 weeks time (end April). MB and David Head of Gillespies to meet. Draft of report will be shared with the council c 20 April. [Action: SHr, MB]

2.3. The issue of through traffic is key to any ideas about pedestrianising Wimbledon Town Centre.

2.4. The P4 site (car park next to New Wimbledon Theatre) has been the preferred site for cultural amenity but work on the site is badly affected by the recession; there will soon be a clearer idea of how to progress. LBM will be talking again to Choral Society, Orchestra and other potential users to confirm what they are looking for. The cultural amenity should be seen in the context of a cultural hub: New Wimbledon Theatre, Polka, Wimbledon College of Art. In the interim, Mansell Road Community centre is now in use, two new sports halls have been completed. Wimbledon Community Centre is in need of repair, and the Latimer Road swimming pool has a large area which is currently empty, and these are [other] factors. MB has been asked to interview the council about the Civic Hall for Time and Leisure magazine. Perhaps this is a format to bring these ideas into a public debate. [Action MB to interview DNM]

2.5. The P3 site (Morrison's car park). An extension to the
contract to purchase has been granted for a further year LBM expects the development to happen.

2.6. Railway station (P1 site). Network Rail own the station and SW
trains lease it. LBM wanted to do a bid with SW trains, but they can
now only support LBM's bid to TfL. Aiming for an enhancement by 2012. Aim is to pedestrianise the area in front of the station entrance. Cost approximately £1 million. Need to resolve issues of through traffic, drop off, taxis. LBM wish to form a user group to manage the project. WCF could assist with this.

2.7. Town Centres. Because of many issues leading to a tendency to look at centres in fragmented manner, LBM have appointed a senior officer to deal with each of the town centres and act as 'champion' Wimbledon's is John Hill.

2.8. Hotel provision. Wimbledon needs more hotels. Is the old police station in Compton Road a possibility? The building is under let. MB advised that the site adjoins the Galustian Garden, which belongs to St Mark's church who have indicated in the past that they would open to the public at certain times if they could fund security/ supervision. There may be a synergy here.

2.9. Old B&Q site in Alexandra Road. JH advised this site is attracting interest from developers. It has a non food retail use.

2.10. Wimbledon Chase. WCF are holding a forum on 18 March at Wimbledon College of Art. John Hill will attend. MB to email a flyer with details. Network Rail have upgraded the station itself, but not the bridge. Wimbledon College of Art could become involved for example an LED lighting display. [Action: MB]

3.1. Waste and the Raynes Park Eco-park. LBM are involved in the
South London Waste Plan, with 3 other boroughs. It will identify key sites for the four boroughs waste stream. The aim is process local waste locally. Garth Road is one of the identified sites. The Raynes Park scheme, and the Mitcham scheme are private initiatives which sit out with the plan.

3.2. MB advised that WCF may be asked to chair a public meeting on the Raynes Park Eco-park at the end of March - still awaiting confirmation from the developers. There are a number of genuine concerns about traffic, access, smells, size, all of which can be discussed rationally and without emotion and politics entering into it. Sustainable Merton had suggested WCF as a neutral forum for this discussion. WCF will advise whether this is confirmed. LBM are reluctant to field an officer for this debate because it is a current planning application, and there is a lot of confusion in the public's mind between this application and the ongoing but separate consultation on the South London Waste Plan. Would prefer if WCF got an independent expert. [Post meeting note: this never stopped LBM in the past, Steve Clark used to come to project specific meetings, e.g.Plough Lane].

4. Future meetings. It was felt this was a good idea, maybe every 4 months. With changes of personnel at LBM this could provide continuity and be part of the hand over process. Meetings confirmed
for 29 June and 28 October 2009, 2-4pm @LBM.

Notes by MB 090310 approved for web by by SCT and SHm 090310.