March 2010
Dear All,
Thanks to your support the Greater London Authority have withdrawn their License Application to show the FIFA World Cup from Gloucester Green. I spoke to Patrick Loy, the GLA Manager Events for London who said 'It will be announced officially in the next few days'. The hearing is therefore cancelled on the 11th March. Please inform anyone who is interested of the good news.
All The best,
Malcolm
In 2006 the Friends opposed Royal Parks application to licence the part of Regent's Park controlled by
Camden. Our efforts ensured modification of alcohol sales to only on 12 days per calender year and see
that film shows had no more than 5 film events in any calender year and only on Friday and Saturday.
In order get around this constraint, Greater London Assembly (GLA) opted to obtain a separate licence
in their name from Camden overriding the Royal Parks Licence.
Dear Supporter,
The licence is for the London FIFA World Cup Fan Fest showing the football transmitted live from South Africa on a huge screen for 23 days. Events involves Music, Corporate Entertainment, sales of Alcohol, Food, music, and official FIFA memorabilia. There will be a claimed maximum of 18,000 fans standing and 19,999 seated in stands.
This event has the backing of the Mayor of London and the Prime Minister. On Wednesday last week we arranged a meeting with Patrick Loy (GLA) London Event Manager, Judy Hillman the Friends Patron and Conall Macfarlane a Committee Member and myself attended.
We met at Baker Street and walked from Clarence Gate near Baker Street past the Open Air Theatre to the proposed site by the Zoo at Gloucester Green.
Patrick Loy said, among other things, that the event could not be financed without the income from alcohol sales to make it viable. If the Alcohol licence is not granted they will have to find an alternative site. Surely there must be a legal reason that would make it difficult to override an existing licence?
The meeting left us with the feeling that this switch to the GLA is an unsubtle attempt to push a project through Licensed event to please the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London. FIFA, we are told, wanted seven venues for 20,000 football fans at important sites in Major Countries where the matches can be shown on a large screen including London. As far as the GLA are concerned this event in London is to impress FIFA to award the next FIFA Word Cup to be hosted by Britain.
At a meeting at the Royal Park Forum (the eight Royal Parks) yesterday, Mark Camley CEO of the Royal Parks confirmed that they actually supported the project. The rest of Forum members supported our protest.
We have had some excellent local support from Sue MacGregor and Sir Simon Jenkins in an article in The Camden New Journal and West End Extra. See this clipping
We have this copy of a letter from a Friends member on a similar event on Gloucester Green in 2006. Though this is dated 2006, we had similar behaviour last summer at the Test Match big screen presentation that was held at the Westminster end of the Park close to Ulster Terrace with a crowd of less than 5,000.
The Hearing will be on Thursday 11th March at a time to be announced, we will inform you as soon as the time is announced.
Your comments must reach Camden by WEDNESDAY 17th February and any email must have your full postal address and phone number included. You must also post a paper copy to
Planning and Public Protection
Clare Butler
Ref APP\PREMISES-NEW\000880
Camden Licensing Authority.
Town Hall Extension
Argyle Street
London WC1H 8EQ
Thank you for your support.
Malcolm
Dear Friend,
We would like to bring to your attention a proposal that there be a three week "Festival" in the northeast corner of Regent's Park (by the children's playground at Gloucester Gate), during the football World Cup 2010 from 12 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. almost every single day of those three weeks, with alcohol served from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. This will be from 11th June to 3rd July 2010. The schedule of anticipated games over the "festival" are available Here
We are uncertain if we have any influence in whether this event will take place, or not. However, we do have a say on the Licensing aspects of this application. Should you wish to make any comments, please read the attached VERY CAREFULLY before making such a representation. You will note, for example, that the representation must be received by Camden Licensing by Wednesday 17th February and that, whilst you may do so online, you must send a copy of the letter or email, in addition (which can just be a copy of your online submission), etc.
Representations must show that you are an "interested party," as defined:
The term Interested Party, as used in the Act, refers to any of the following persons:
Representations must address one, or more, of the Four Licensing Below
1 Public Safety
Crowds cannot be catered for by the local bus, underground and parking without making normal life
impossible for local residents. How will they be dispersed, by whom, and in which directions? Because
of the pressure on Camden Lock, Camden Town underground station is shut for departures at weekends.
Special events at Camden Market last year saw 15,000 people using Camden underground station.
The Northern Line will be closed intermittently for updating during June-July. Regent’s Park underground
station is available only for arrivals at the weekend. Baker Street and Great Portland Street undergrounds
are about 30 minutes walk away.
2 The Prevention of Public Nuisance
Noise levels have not been specified in this application. The applicant suggests that the placing of the
screen and stage will direct noise into the park. Residents know from past experience that the noise of
events travels in all directions regardless and that promoters always raise the sound levels. Here the applicant
suggests this will only happen when the crowds build up. But that will be too much for residents well outside
the park, let alone people who come to enjoy peace and quiet in the park (a main purpose) or the animals and
visitors to the zoo, or the audience at the Open Air Theatre. Our experience of other events in the park has
shown that the proposal for 130 lavatories for 19,999 visitors is insufficient and will lead to men urinating in
the hedge around Gloucester Green and adjacent streets.
3 The Prevention of Crime and Disorder
Games viewed on large outdoor TV screens with competing countries could create a tense atmosphere
resulting in public disorder. These games when shown in Public Houses ensure that separate venues are
selected by each side. This is done to avoid conflict. This situation does not exist at the proposed event
with crowds of up to 19,999 expected every day. What happens when the games go into extra time and
the crowds get out of hand? 18,000 would be standing, which is not allowed at live football matches.
Stands were abolished after the Hillsborough disaster. The application suggests a limit of four ticketed
drinks per person and that people will never be allowed to bring in their own supply of alcohol. Will
everyone be searched as they are at other major events? Alcohol is sold at football matches but only
under very strict supervision because it is known to encourage disorderly conduct. It is suggested that
this event will attract families, young professionals, tourists and members of London’s international
communities. How will potentially disruptive people be kept from attending? Family entertainment
and alcohol consumption are not obvious soul mates.
4 The Protection of Children from Harm
How can the police or stewards ensure men do not relieve themselves in public in front of young
children? This occurred at a similar event during the Australian/England cricket match last year when
three available policemen were unable to control the behaviour of a crowd of only 5,000. Meanwhile
children will not enjoy the playground with a great crowd on the other side of the fence.
Please feel free to employ any or all of these points in your letter of protest.
Email link [here]
, Posted Letters must be sent to:
London Borough of Camden Planning & Public Protection,
Licensing Team Attn: Clare Butler (Ref: APP\PREMISES-NEW\000880)
Camden Town Hall Extension,
Argyle, St,
London WC1H 8EQ
Thank you for your support.
Malcolm
This article is available in ready-to-print poster form Here
Map of the affected area below and a bigger detailed map Here
Also please spare a thought for the poor animals in London Zoo (along the left edge of the map above) -
they will bear the brunt of the noise disturbance and have no say in the matter.
Click here to return to home page
Dear Supporter of Regents Park,
I am sorry to call upon you again but Camden ran out of time on 22nd October so the application has come up for hearing on Thursday 12th November. As I have more time I can provide more details of the application than last time.
The Camden Planning Officers are recommending a Planning Application for the conversion to a huge
building on the site of the following houses.
In case of difficulty we have a local copy of the camden document... cambridgeterracedevelopment.pdf
The Regent's Park Conservation Area Advisory Committee pointed out the following points to the
Camden.The Park area has too many "trophy homes" some of which are only used for 2 or 3 weeks
per annum. The project is for in the words of the architect "for an ambassadorial building" at
an expected sale price of around £30M . We pointed out security problems.
The full details are in the attached document. It is well worth reading.
It would be a great help to Richard Simpson if you were to turn up and support him. We are promised that the application will be heard this time. They will not run out of time as at the last meeting on 22nd October.
If you cannot come to the meeting send a letter of protest.
Malcolm
Dear Supporters of the preservation of Primrose Hill,
We have some items of news for your edification...
This is a clipping from the Standard of an interview with Geoffrey Robertson QC on the final closure of the Golf and Tennis School (G&TS). Whilst we are very disappointed with the results of our efforts to save the G&TS we must rejoice in the fact that Goals have confirmed that they "will not be making a revised or new application for the provision of a sports facility on the Holford House site or elsewhere within Regent's Park."
Simon Jenkins supported us by coming out in the torrential rain to join us in our demonstration against the
Holford House five-aside project ln 2007. He has written the most excellent article in the Evening Standard
(09-06-09)on our behalf. For which we are most grateful.
The Link is:-
Thank you all for your support and encouragement.
Malcolm
Dear Supporters of the preservation of Primrose Hill,
The planning application for the St Edmund's Terraces and Twyman House projects have been rejected by Camden Council according to Camden Councillor Andrew Marshall. Thanks for your support and the amazing architectural assassinations of the projects by Richard Simpson, chair of the Regents Park Conservation Area Advisory Committee and Peter Clapp, Camden Architect.
See Andrew Marshall's blog at this link ...
www.swisscottagecourier.blogspot.com
Thanks for your help.
Malcolm Kafetz
Chairman of the Friends of Regents Park & Primrose Hill
Dear Supporter of the preservation of Primrose Hill
The St Edmund's and Twyman House has not been listed for a hearing on the 23rd April as we had been told by Camden. Barrington Bowie is away, so I spoke to Neil Macdonald. He told me that the decision had been delegated which means it is going to be made by the planning officers without having it having to be heard by the planning committee. This means that it is liable to be refused. They may well try again, but this will give time to get better organised. As I am not sure of the rank or knowledge of Mr Macdonald, I will confirm the situation next week when Barrington Bowie is back.
This message is to let know that you will not be needed on 23rd April. As soon as I know the situation I will keep you informed.
Thank you for your support.
Malcolm
Dear supporter of the preservation of Primrose Hill,
The next Camden Planning Committee is Thursday 23rd April at 7.00 PM in the Council Chamber, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street. Please put this date in your diary, as the application is still very much alive, and numbers filling the public galleries are absolutely essential.
The agenda for that meeting will be published at 5.00 PM on Wed 15th April, this will confirm the exact time of the hearing of the St Edmund's Terrace application.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to seeing you on Thursday 23rd April.
Malcolm
Dear Supporter,
The St Edmund's project will not go ahead unless the 106 part, Twyman House is approved by Camden. A letter of protest
from Peter Clapp RIBA FCSD, which is well worth reading, can be read
Here on our site
We have missed the protest date for the project but I think the protest letter is well worth reading.
It clearly explains in Architects terms why it should not be built.
We are under the impression that the hearing for the main project is set for April 2nd.
If anyone has any information on a local amenity group for the Regents Canal would they please contact Peter Clapp at 12 Jeffrey's Place NW1 9PP tel 020 7267 2445 or send an email
Malcolm
Dear Supporter,
We have circulated 1000 cards. If you have not been able to protest here is a direct link to Camden with the correct planning ref.
I found that it was possible to comment on line :- this is the link and this is a copy of the camden page with the underlined comment link...
You can send this to any friends. As long as the email reaches Camden by the end of 18th February it counts.
Thanks for your help.
Malcolm
The plan is for two interlinked 6/7 storey wings in height (up to 28m) providing high end residential units and a resident fitness/leisure facility with 24 car park spaces and 88 secure covered bicycle spaces. Each unit will have large balconies as well as access to on site landscaped open space.
The site, bounded by St Edmunds Terrace to the south, Primrose Hill to the east and the Thames Water reservoir and treatment facility to the north, residential properties to the western and southern edge, is a designated area of Metropolitan Open Land to the west of Primrose Hill, was formerly owned by but is now surplus to Thames Water. The site is currently occupied by a number of vacant buildings including one four storey block of flats, two two-storey dwellings, workshops and stores some of which were previously occupied by Thames Water staff.
Dear Supporter,
It smells of conspiracy to push the project through without opposition. They also maintain that 600 letters were sent to local residents which never happened. If you read the Planning
If you agree with the Committee in opposing the project to build a seven story 22 luxury block of flats on the edge of Primrose Hill on land previously owned by the Water Board, please object. There is not much time as the objections must be in by next Thursday 19th Feb.
You may send a letter using the reference number 2009/0113/P using the following address...
Department of Planning
Camden Town Hall
Judd Street
London WC1H 9JE
Reference 2009/0113/P
An alternative is to print the opposition PDF to make your own card which comes in two parts, If you trim following the guide lines and stick the parts together, sign, fill in your name and address in capitals, affix a stamp then post.
The opposition PDF is HERE
Here is the direct link for the plans:-
Here is the direct link:-
http://planningonline.camden.gov.uk/MULTIWAM/showCaseFile.do?appType=Planning&appNumber=2009%2F0113%2FPI am sorry to give you the details at such short notice. This was the plan of Turley Associates who advised on the project.
This project will ruin the profile of the Hill and encourage others to ruin the sight lines of the park. The Royal Parks, the Primrose Hill Association, The Elsworthy Residents Association and the Regents Park Conservation Area Advisory Committee are all opposing this plan. To get the feel of the project read the 27 page Planning Statement. It is on the link and is worth a read.
All the best,
Malcolm
Dear Supporters,
You are invited to our Annual General Meeting at 7.00pm on Monday 10th March at Danish Church, St. Katharines's Precinct, Outer Circle, Regent's Park NW1 4HH.
Please come at 6.30pm for Danish pasties and coffee.
Hear the latest situation of the Sports facilities in the Park and general local news. The Park Manager, Nick Biddle, will be on hand to reply to your questions on the Park. We have a talk by John Black on Regent's Park & Primrose Hill in literature and Music. There will be many late breaking news items to report.
Looking forward to seeing on Monday.
Malcolm.
Dear Supporters,
These are two articles published in the West End Extra newspaper a sister publication of the Camden New Journal aimed at the west end of London. The same articles appear in both newspapers but the West End New journal comes out on Friday, so was in time for the result of the Westminster Planning Committee. I think they both sum up the present situation. We will let you know what the Royal Parks intend to do in response.
Some 200 people turned out at the protest on Sunday to stop the development of the sports centre in Regent’s Park – their calls were supported by a 4,000-strong petition Weekend protesters sensed victory with impressive turnout
RAIN-SOAKED but unbowed, columnist Sir Simon Jenkins and broadcaster Sue MacGregor joined the march through Regent’s Park on Sunday as protesters stepped up their campaign against plans to turn a meadow into a new floodlit five-a-side football centre. The protest against a deal between private operators Goals Soccer Centre and the Royal Parks Agency came ahead of the crunch planning meeting last night (Thursday). They were buoyed by information that the plan would be spiked after planning officials from both Westminster and Camden raised serious concerns.
The councillors in Westminster would have had to have ignored the advice of their own experts if they were to approve the £2.1 million project. Among those who braved the weekend’s miserable weather were members of the Friends of Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill who turned up in force. The scheme would have turned the public meadow known as the Holford House into a lucrative nine-pitch five-a-side complex and bar pavilion.
Goals, whose investors include Sir Rodney Walker, a former director at Leicester City Football Club, have already proved how financially attractive the five-a-side football industry is, posting soaring profits earlier this year at a series of similar facilities around the country. Sixty trees, which campaigners argued provide a vital habitat for bats and tawny owls, would have been axed.
The campaigners wrapped the trees in yellow ribbons. Friends’ chairman Malcolm Kafetz said the park protest was a “strength of feeling” represented by a 4,000-strong petition.
The march went from Hanover Bridge to the site of Holford House where the 200 or so protesters gathered to watch Mr Kafetz and Ms MacGregor provide an on the campaign-trail-style interview.
Ms MacGregor, who has lived in the area for 10 years, said: “It has plenty of space for football already. “This is purely a commercial venture which is against the rules of the park. It would be an act of commercial vandalism to do this.”
Sir Simon Jenkins added: “I used to crawl in there as a child and explore the undergrowth. It should always be left as wilderness. It is a really natural space – the only one left in central London.”
Nick Biddle, from the Royal Parks Agency, said: “I think objections on the basis that it’s a commercial partnership are spurious.” He said the development would only account for half an acre of the park and would have benefited schools nearby.
Victory for campaigners as bid to build football pitches is rejected
CAMPAIGNERS claimed victory last night (Thursday) in the battle for Regent’s Park. Around 100 residents packed City Hall to hear planning chiefs hammer the final nail in the coffin of controversial proposals to build a five-a-side football complex near London Zoo. The Royal Parks Agency and Goals Soccer Centres wanted to replace four acres of popular wooded meadow with a car park, licensed bar and nine five-a-side pitches. But the plan was spiked after officials advised it would “damage the environment to an unacceptable degree”.
Malcolm Kafetz, the chairman of the 1,200-strong Friends of Regent’s Park, who has led the fight against the plan for more than three years, said: “I think the enthusiasm of all our members and supporters and the fact that we were right all along has won through on the day.” He added: “It was a David and Goliath battle. We were up against the Royal Parks with huge financial resources but we still won.”
Goals Soccer Centres, owned by the former director of Leicester City Football Club, Sir Rodney Walker, has recorded soaring profits from similar schemes across the country. But the attempts to colonise a popular meadow in Regent’s Park had drawn more objections than any other in living memory. Regent’s Park ward councillor Daniel Astaire, who has also backed the campaign, said: “The application was to bulldoze local opinion and the serene green scape. It has captured the hearts and minds of the residents. It is paving paradise to put up a parking lot.” Labour’s Church Street ward Councillor Barbara Grahame sent jitters running through the public gallery when she cast a supporting vote for the scheme. Her support was followed up by a statement from Goals calling for the decision to be deferred and claiming planning officials had made a “late u-turn” in their advice to reject the scheme. But Councillor Robert Davis, lead member for planning, settled the nerves when he concluded: “We do need more facilities for young people and for older sportsman. This is not the right site. The loss on ecology, parking provision and access are the main issues that concern me. On that basis the committee reject the application.” He added: “We take the view that this should not be deferred and we hereby reject it.” Polite applause rang out from gallery and the campaigners made their way home to a special celebratory party in Marylebone. A jubilant Mr Kafetz added: “I am looking forward to spending a lot more time with my family.”
The BBC filmed our demonstration on Sunday. It was shown on the 4.pm BBC London TV news but not on the 10.00pm News as Gordon Brown went to Iraq so they cancelled the local London news. Perhaps Gordon Brown needs the publicity more than Regent's Park. We recorded it earlier and it is now our website. The small version is quicker to download. If you do not have the Quicktime program a link to the free download is on our web site.
Thank you all for your help and support. To have such a wide membership and supporters
helped to run our campaign. I am afraid our Newsletter is delayed, but that is the next
job.
Wishing you all a happy Christmas and a healthy New Year,
Malcolm.
Dear Supporters,
Westminster Council have rejected the Royal Parks and Goals Soccer Plc. The grounds for rejection were Trees, traffic and ecology. Very hard to make a good appeal on these points.
Thank you for your support and help.
All the best,
Malcolm
BBC London News Clip
The demo made the BBC London News on Sunday - in a short 40 second news slot - we have the footage taken off-air from a Freeview digibox in two formats - click on the pictures as required...
BBC London News MP4  this is 4 megabytes big and can be played with Apple Quicktime | Quicktime Player | BBC London News MPEG  WARNING this file is 46 megabytes big and will take a fair while to download and should play ok in Windows Media Player |
Dear Friends,
We have a local copy of the full recommendations of the Westminster Planning Officers. The result is recommendation to Refuse Planning permission - adverse impact on ecology, loss of trees., inadequate parking and inadequate vehicular access.
The link is:- item-01-regent-park.pdf right click on the link and save..as to save or left click to download and read immediately. please note the file is a large 5 megabytes in size. Depending on your connection it may take quite a long time to download, do not lose heart it is worth the wait.
If you would prefer to download directly from the Planning website you can use this link
instead :-
http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/csu/Planning_Applications_Sub-Committee/AGENDAS_2007/38-13_December/ITEM%2001The%20Regent%20Park%20Gold%20and%20Tennis%20School%20etc.PDF
It is the same file as our copy but might take a little longer to download.
This is not the final decision, but the planning committee of Westminster councillors will take the recommendation into account when they make their decision on Thursday December 13th at Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street at 5.30pm for 6.30pm. Please note there are only 140 places. Tickets will be issued in reception on a first come first served basis.
Please come to the demonstration in the Park. BBC London are sending a film crew to film for
transmission on Sunday Nights BBC News, Local News London.
Malcolm
We have had a map designed with details of the demo that we are holding on the 9th December - it will print to A4. We would appreciate it if anyone could put these in view of as many people as possible to swell our numbers (without contravening 'no poster' laws please)
We have two protest posters you can download and print to A4 as well.
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Dear Supporter,
First I must thank you for your help and encouragement during this long fight to see justice done to preserve our heritage. The planning application hearing will take place at the Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP on Thursday 13th December 2007. Entrance is by ticket only, issued at the reception desk at City Hall. Tickets are available from 5.30PM there are only 140 places which will be given out on a first come first served basis.
We are holding a demonstration on Sunday 9th December at 10.30AM leaving the blue Hanover Island Bridge on the east side by the Bird Study Centre arriving at the Holford House site at 11AM. The bridge is just past the Cafe and boat house (near the Mosque) and we will be there to meet you. The idea of meeting at the bridge is to create a good photo opportunity for the press. If you don't want to walk across the park, meet us at 11AM in the Park at the Inner Circle, just before the Zoo, make towards the old Golf & Tennis School site, we will be gathering on the other side for our demonstration.
Looking forward to seeing you and your family and friends on Sunday 9th December. It's only an hour of your time that we ask for to help us with make a good impression on the Press.
Best wishes,
Malcolm
Dear Friend,
Last Thursday evening I visited Goals 5-a-side facility at Beckenham with Conall Macfarlane. The point of the visit was to check up on the advanced lighting system and the noise levels. We arrived at Elmers End station at 4.45 PM just as dusk was falling. The Goals Five-a-side facility was easy to find by the Station. There was a large car park which was shared with the Railway Station. As you can see from the first photo the light spread is quite wide. The problem was that the lights were at the four corners of the pitches. This caused the spillage. The meter reading showed the spillage to be about 50% when measured with my light meter.
We were able to make a judgement about sound levels by hitting the deflector boards. We hit them. If they were tightly secured the noise was less than if the mountings were loose. We will need another visit.
However one other point was the 3rd generation artificial playing surface. As this 3rd generation grass is nearly 4 inches high it is practically only suitable for football, not quick cricket or quick hockey.
 click on picture for full size image (opens in a new browser window) |
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You will see in the second photo the jail like appearance of the divisions between the pitches.
The Clubhouse was very smart with excellent facilities. They catered for Weddings and Engagement parties. There were no residential buildings near the facility. This is an ideal location for 5-a-side football. We need to investigate the area in the new cafe to see if it can be used for entertaining. The managing Director of Goals assured me that there would be no social events. He also said he would not expand to the other Parks. As this is a commercial operation it is hard to take his assurances seriously.
If you were to travel from Camden or Baker Street it would take about 40 minutes going by tube to London Bridge and train to Elmers End.
All this visit did was to prove that the Goals facility is indeed excellent for out of town areas but not for Regents Park with its residential and historic location.
We will keep you informed of the date of the hearing. It will be confirmed on 29th November. We will arrange to send out the details of the demonstrations. Westminster are giving us 2 spaces each for 50 people. One will be in the Committee room and one in a nearby room with a sound link.
We are holding back publication of the Newsletter until we can publish our plans in print by post to the other 175 households who are not on email.
Thank you for your continued support.
Malcolm
Dear Friend,
You can see from this link
we have some interesting letters and an article by Conservative Camden
Councillor Rebecca Hossack. It highlights the fact that much of the Royal Parks
Agency Planning documents have many half truths and some downright serious errors.
This is dangerous as the planning process is operated by the planning committee
reading the application. As far as they are concerned it is all true. We have been
advised to ensure the misleading claims are brought to the attention of the committee.
If anyone has contact with the local Westminster or Camden Schools, please ask them
if they intend to use the five-a-side facility. We need this information. May
I remind you again of the ONLY reasons to counter the application...
Thank you for your support, keep writing letters. Confirm with Westminster planning that that you have seen the new documents and that they have not changed your views on the project.
The hearing is still to be held on Thursday 13th December, but that date will not be confirmed until Thursday 29th November. We will be arranging two demonstrations, one in the Park and another at City Hall in Victoria Street.
All the best,
Malcolm
Last chance to object, final closing date is now Wednesday 31 October!
The planning application has now been finally validated by Westminster and the hearing will be held mid December. As soon as the exact date for the meeting at Westminster Council is confirmed the details will placed here. If you send us your email address to chairman@friendsofregentspark.org you will be included on our information updates list.
Please email (link below) or write your objections as soon as possible to
Kathryn Johnson,
Development Planning Services,
Dept. of Planning & City Development,
Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QP
quoting ref nos. 0700697/FULL & TP/23163
kjohnso@westminster.gov.uk
Our poster has been updated to reflect changes in the application. You can download the
new poster (a mere 40kb size) for distribution to local shops (click on thumbnail picture)
.
We have plenty of petition postcards, just
send an email, include your postal address in the email and I will post them.
NEW: Article in Camden New Journal - by TOM FOOT & RICHARD OSLEY
Pitch battle over park’s threatened meadows
Campaigners fear ‘a wonderful, ornamental place’ could fall into a sports firm’s hands
Click Here
To all Regents Park Supporters.
The application by Royal Parks and Goals Soccer plc has been validated by Westminster
Council. I have a copy of the revised documents but I am waiting for some of the plans.
this means that the committee will consider the application in December. The full
revised documentation should be on the Westminster web site next week. I will let you
have the full web address to download the PDF files as soon as it confirmed.
They have reduced the hight of so called Pavilion by 2.1 metres, revised the landscape setting and reduced the number of pitches to nine. The other points are in the Planning document revision list. On first sight there are some obvious errors such as denial of the wooden 1 metre high wooden kick boards. They claim they are Wisa boards, these are special plywood boards with a damage proof surface.
Westminster Council have not accepted the view that the area of the site does not include the pitches, there is still a metropolitan land question of replacement by a larger site. But on the other hand, Planning Guidance 2 Green Belts states "essential facilities for indoor sports and outdoor recreation" can be built. The five-a-side football is hardly essential as the hub is within a short distance of the new Pavillion.
Please check the website as we will be updating it with the latest news.
You can
download a poster for distribution to local shops.
We have plenty of petition postcards, just
send an email, include your postal address in the email and I will post them.
Westminster council tell me that they have never had so many objections to any planning application, so keep up the good work.
Thank you for your Support ... Malcolm
News for the Friends of Regent's Park & Primrose Hill
End of Season Revue will be on Monday 24th September at the Danish Church,
Inner Circle near Gloucester Gate, from 6.30pm for 7.00pm until 9.00 pm.
We will have a talk by Rachel Fancy from
Wild in the Parks
about the Garden they have created. Questions and answers on general Park matters.
Westminster Council has not yet validated the planning application for 5-a-side football. Until the ecological survey has to been resubmitted and accepted by Westminster Council, the planning committee cannot receive it for consideration. The updated version has been received and is waiting to be validated; this will have to be completed by next week for the committee to rule by October/November, as there is no space for it in the September sitting.
The revised planning statement clears up questions that the Royal Parks Agency would not answer at our AGM or in later correspondence. It has now been made quite clear that the closure of the Golf & Tennis centre was to enable the 5-a-side soccer to act as a replacement, so conforming to the Metropolitan Open Plan Rules. This is disputable, as the area covered is far greater than was the Golf & Tennis School. See the ruling on the ruling document below. The Royal Parks claim that we were exaggerating the increase in area of the 5-a-side. At a Forum meeting on 30th May 2007 they offered to draw an overlay on a plan of the site to show how much less was being used by the 5-a-side project. This has not appeared to date despite a written request.
The Heath and Hampstead Society won their judicial revue against Camden Council. Many of the arguments that won their case would help us against the Royal Parks. The main point is that a building on Metropolitan Open Land cannot be replaced by a larger building. The 153kb ruling document can be downloaded from HERE
How you can help
We need to work on the support of the local Westminster councillors. They are the
people who can pass on our views to their councillors and increase our influence.
After having spoken to many Civil servants, their response is that an Agency makes
its own decisions. We have received this comment from The Crown Estate, The First
Secretary of the Treasury, Director General of the Culture Media & Sport and Prince's
Trust office. We have to think in terms of support from people and organisations that
will lose credibility if the 5-a-side gets planning. If Goals Soccer Plc and the Royal
Parks Agency get planning permission for a site in Regent's Park the other seven parks
will be at risk.
Support for our Protest
The Financial Times interviewed Lady Valerie Solti, a member of Friends, she complained
about the Royal Parks and supported our objections to 5-a-side football. Councillor
Andrew Marshall, Deputy Leader of the Council and Leader of the Conservative Group
Swiss Cottage Ward of Camden has been supporting our cause and wishes to be included
in our supporters list. We still have plenty of petition postcards please
send an email requesting supplies. We also have an updated 65kb
POSTER you can download and print
Vandalism in the Park
The door at the garden created by Wild in the Park next to the Tennis Centre near
York Bridge was destroyed and left in small pieces in the garden. One of the sculptures,
Queen Mary's Gardens (Walking Man) by Sean Henry was vandalised. The sculpture has
been removed for repair, but it will not return to its site.
Police News.
You are advised not to walk in remote unlit area Primrose Hill and the park
after dusk for personal safety reasons. The Polish vagrants have been ejected
from the Gazebo in the boulevard, near Chester Road. More checking of trade and
speeding vehicles has made the Park safer. The right to issue on the spot fines
for Cyclists and litter louts has not been passed by Parliament, as this changes
the rules and regulations of a Royal Park.
Westminster North Planning are still waiting for a reply from the Royal Parks Agency and Goals Soccer Plc to the unsatisfactory lack of detail in their Ecology Report. When the information is accepted, the proposal will be passed on to the Planning Committee for consideration. The decision will be made 13 weeks after final acceptance. This will bring us to August/September.
The committee have been working hard behind the scenes to make Westminster Council aware of the 5-aside football situation. Simon Jenkins the Times/Guardian journalist contacted me to check on the present situation as he has a meeting next week with the Sir Simon Milton, leader of the Westminster Council. Simon Jenkins is a long time user of Regents Park as you can see from his article in the Guardian on 16 Feb 2007 he is on our side. You can read his article on the Guardian website Direct link here:-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2014317,00.htmlAt a Party in Queen Mary's Gardens last Tuesday 19th June I met Alan Davey Director of Culture at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport who reports directly to Tessa Jowell on the Royal Parks. I made our position quite clear. Mr Davey replied that he left the decisions on matters like choice of sports facilities to the individual Royal Parks.
Meanwhile I have been elected as Chair of the Royal Parks Forum for the next 3 years. The Forum consists of the 8 Royal Parks and gives me direct access to the Minister of Culture. The present minister is David Lammy, it remains to be seen if any ministerial changes are made by Gordon Brown when he becomes Prime Minister.
Thank you for your support. We have more petition postcards and posters. Please ensure your poster displays are up to date. New closing date now 31st July. See the new poster link on our Links page.
Well we have given the site a new lick of paint - hope you like it. Now to the business in hand...
The AGM on 24th April was a great at the Rudolf Steiner Hall with over 200 members and guests. The Royal Parks had a bad time convincing the audience of the need for 5-a-side football. I think they are thinking twice about the project.
The Article in the Financial Times By Harry Eyres was one of the best.
The protest from Swiss residents was very well followed up by Jonny Weeks article in The Ham & High.
Welcome to our new secretary Sandy Williams
As of this morning Sandy Williams has taken on the position of secretary to The Friends. She has worked as secretary of a Leukemia charity. She lives in Cumberland Terrace and has a deep interest in preserving the Park. You can look forward to better communications from now on.
Sorry, nothing to report so far - still waiting for news. Please keep looking in and, if you haven't yet sent your petition then please do so - it all counts to increase the pressure against this dastardly football plan
We have an updated protest poster for you to download - see links at the foot of this page plus we've had a number of messages saying we've spelled Kathryn Johnson's email address wrong by missing the 'n' - it's not a mistake that's how its spelt!
The closing date for the petition has again been extended. This has occurred because Westminster has been unable to validate the application due to certain sections of the proposal yet to be resubmitted - we now think we may have until the end of May ... the poster will be updated soon ... Watch this space!
See the "Analysis of proposal and URGENT request for help" link at the foot of this page. The deadline is still currently 27th April - we still need YOUR help as soon as possible! NEW Royal Parks to offer park property for rent - see links. We have new ally in Mayor Ken Livingstone - see link to Camden Journal plus Downloadable campaign poster and an article appeared in the London Evening Standard and recently in Wood & Vale (see links) ...
The present situation with the planning application is that Westminster Council has STILL not been able to validate all the many documents submitted by the Royal Parks. The application comes in many sections. They all have to be valid before the application can be presented to the Planning Committee for final assessment. There is a problem with the Community benefit still to be resolved. We believe that it is to do with percentage of concessionary facilities for local children. This is why we have been continually moving the final protest date. The Council have to wait for the documents to be returned by the Royal Parks, it is even possible that the Royal Parks and Goals Soccer Centre Plc may withdraw their application if they cannot agree with Westminster's requirements. Submission date was supposed to be by the end of March, but this is not fixed. We think we have until the 27th April but the goalposts keep moving. So keep monitoring this site for updates and please send your petition (link below) if you would like but have not yet done so.
If you would like to add your voice to this campaign please use the following email link. PLEASE also include your name and postal address in the email if you would like your response to be added to our petition ... thanks.
We have been advised that Westminster will accept your emailed response as a petition if you include your name and full postal address in your email. They will send you a letter with the final outcome.
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Created on Sunday 10 December 2006, last edited Tuesday 2 March 2010. Errors & Omissions excepted