Anna Davies [61 Rosslyn Avenue, SW13 0JY 8876 4614 cllr.adavies@richmond.gov.uk] · · · • · · · Merlene Emerson [8 Lonsdale Road, SW13 9EB 8741 4106 Merle@markemerson.net] · · · • · · · Richard Pyne [55 Palewell Park SW14 8JQ; 8876 1373; richardpyne@btinternet.com].

• May 2010 Election %s: C 48.2; LD 36.0; L 8.2; G 4.3; I 3.3. C gain 3.

• Page 2: Comments and news from 2008, 2007 & 2006

• Report to Planning Committee, April 01

• History of the site

• [April 05] PERMISSION granted for Bowling Green Site: Having considered representations from local residents, the planning committee last Thursday came down in favour of the development for the Old Bowling Green [App 09/1490/FUL] in William's Lane, Mortlake by a majority decision. In reality the committee had no choice: two independent counsel had advised that the land was not protected for leisure use under planning case law.

It has not been used as a bowling green for the better part of two decades and is now unusable. The site never received protection by local designation. As a result of Tory negligence the site (unlike the adjacent Watney's site) did not receive protection as 'other open land of townscape importance ' when the Conservatives were creating and adopting the 2005 Unitary Development Plan.

Part of the reason for this may have been that the site is secluded and one of the objectors had to admit that, even though he lived near the site, he had not even realised it was there until a campaign to 'save' it was launched. The proposal has been the subject of extensive consultation by the developer and by the Council.

Speaking after the decision was taken, local Councillor Anna Davies said: 'This site was largely unknown locally and the committee's hands were tied by its lack of protection under the Unitary Development Plan drawn up and approved by the last Conservative administration. There were no grounds that would have stood up on appeal to vote against the scheme which has the support of many local residents. In fact the alternative was to condemn the site to decades more of dereliction.'

Liberal Democrat candidate Richard Pyne said: 'It is a shame that this site was not protected by the UDP so that the Council's hands were tied. However I am delighted that the Council will receive a contribution of well over £500,000 towards much needed schools, health facilities, transport infrastructure and play provision. It is also positive that this will be an attractive development praised by the Council's Design Panel and that 41% of the residential accommodation will be social housing as there is a great need for this in the area.'

• [Apr 05] Academy status confirmed for Shene School

• [Apr 05] Lib Dems Welcome North Sheen Footbridge Planning Application

• [From Comments Spring 2010] MP CALLS for bus countdown timer at Hammersmith: Transport for London is still refusing to give passengers travelling by bus from Hammersmith a fair deal. Local MP Susan Kramer asked them to install a bus countdown timer in the corridor between the shopping centre and the outdoor bus shelter, so that passengers can wait in the warm for their bus.

Transport for London says powering the timer could be a problem and that it won't pay for a new countdown timer there. Richard Pyne said, "I fail to see how there could be a problem powering this sign, with shops and lights just a few metres away in the passageway." "This is such a simple way for TfL to make life easier for passengers using this outdoor bus station - we will continue to battle on this issue" said Merlene Emerson.

• LOCAL people let down Conservatives refuse to back bid to kill off parking charges in Richmond Park for good Conservatives in the House of Lords refused to support a Lib Dem 'fatal motion' that was the only way to stop the Government's legislation. Local MP Susan Kramer said, "It was great to see so many people come to Westminster to make their voices heard. "But I am saddened that the Conservatives refused to join us to stop these charges once and for all." "I want local people to know that I'll keep on fighting tooth and nail to stop these plans."

• COMMUNITY toilet scheme: One of the popular initiatives started by the Liberal Democrats on Richmond Council has been the Community Toilet Scheme. 90 toilets in pubs, cafés, and offices around the borough are now open to the public. The Council pays the venue £600 a year to allow unrestricted access to the toilets. This is very much cheaper, and offers many more toilets, than the traditional public toilets, which are very expensive to maintain. Just look for the Community Toilet sign outside.

• 16 places in EAST SHEEN, MORTLAKE and BARNES have joined the scheme: Barnes Sorting Office Centre, Bull's Head, Caffe' al Fresco, East Sheen Cemetery, Hare and Hounds, Jolly Gardeners, L'Amandine, Leonardo Caffe, Leonardo Wine Bar, Palewell Common and Fields, Rocks Lane Tennis Pavilion, Sheen Common Pavilion, Sheen Lane Centre, Victoria Sheen, Vine Road Recreation Ground, and Ye White Hart
.

• The Borough's 90 Community Toilets

• [From Comments Winter 2009-10]: MORTLAKE Brewery update: The Liberal Democrat team are continuing to work to make sure the local community get the most from the Mortlake Brewery site. The Council will soon draw up planning guidelines to determine the future use of the brewery site. Merlene Emerson said, "The Council does not own the site, but the planning guidance will help shape the future use of the site. "It is really vital that residents make their views known to shape the planning guidance, so please do make sure that we know your views." So far you have asked the Council to: . . . Guarantee that the playing fields are retained . . . Protect historic buildings on the site, possibly as a museum of brewing and tapestry history. . . . Explore the possibility of green technology business on the site to create local jobs. . . . Make sure there is affordable housing not just luxury housing . . . Give space for public services including community centre health centre and primary school. . . . Give better access both to and along the river. . . . Minimise the traffic impact on the surrounding area. . . . Shift the bus station from Avondale Road to the brewery site.

• RAILWAY side walls: Richard Pyne reports... "Residents have told the Lib Dem team that the walls around the railway line between Sheen lane and White Hart Lane are starting to deteriorate. Vegetation is coming through in many places creating an eyesore. We are calling on Network Rail to replace the walls, preferably using soundproof material to reduce the noise experienced by local residents. Susan Kramer MP has written to Network Rail to raise the issue, and involved engineers from the Council. We will keep you posted developments.

• 33 BUS to go 24 hour?: Transport for London is consulting on converting the 33 bus to a 24 hour service, running every half an hour through the night. The current N10 service would be withdrawn, with the 10 bus converted to 24 hours from Kings Cross to Hammersmith. The Liberal Democrat team think that this new bus service would make it much easier for local people to travel home late at night. If you support these plans please let us know.

• SHENE School to become an Academy: Last summer Shene School achieved its best ever GCSE results for many years. Plans for millions of pounds of investment in the new academy are progressing with the appointment of Academies Enterprise Trust as sponsor. The Trust has a strong record of transforming educational standards in schools. Cllr Anna Davies who is a governor at Shene said, "I am delighted that we have found such a high quality partner to sponsor the school." "We will also work with a local university and independent school to strengthen the team." The next step is for the Council to approve the "Expression of Interest" document, which contains the vision for the new Academy, and it is hoped that it would open in September 2010.

• SHENE School bus: Susan Kramer renewed the call for a school bus for Shene School at a cross-party meeting with Transport for London. But the Mayor of London is still refusing to give Shene School a dedicated bus service. In the meantime, Susan Kramer has got TfL to agree to investigate a new option. TfL will look at terminating two 33 buses from the normal route at Waitrose at the end of the school day. The buses would then collect children from inside the school grounds at Shene and continue the route to Hammersmith. It is hoped that this will help alleviate some of the overcrowding at the end of the school day.

• [From Comments May 2009]: STAG Brewery closure - update: Thanks to everyone who came along to the public meeting on the Stag Brewery in February. Representatives from the Brewery were on hand to answer questions and listen to local views. Many people wanted to see brewing continue, and were concerned about the loss of jobs. Concerns were also raised about the impact of the plans on local traffic, and about the need for buses to serve the site. Susan Kramer said, "I will now be travelling to Belgium to meet with InBev directors face to face to pass on your views." Cllr Eleanor Stanier has reported your views to the Council officers who are now drawing up planning guidance for the site.

• PRIORITIES for the Brewery site: Top of the list of concerns was the protection of the playing fields. Mixed use of the site, including employment opportunities rather than all housing. A community centre and affordable housing. High rise blocks and gated communities would be out of keeping and unacceptable. Any new housing would require a new primary school and other public services. Any development should reflect the brewery and tapestry-making history of Mortlake. Public access to the river should be enhanced and maintained.

• WHITE Hart Lane Roadworks: The Thames Water continue the programme of replacing old Victorian Water Mains is shortly to move to White Hart Lane. Following a meeting with traders, the work was pushed back to start on 11th May. This means the roadworks avoided the busy Easter period that is so important for local shops. Every effort will be made to keep the parking spaces open where possible so that shoppers can continue to visit local shops, and disruption is kept to a minimum. It is anticipated that the works will take around twelve weeks, with traffic diverted via Rocks Lane. Do contact the Lib Dem team if you have any questions.

• RAILWAY Side dog fouling: After being contacted by a local resident, Cllr Anna Davies took up the issue of dog fouling at Railway Side. The Council has now agreed to move the footpath cleaning machines from the town centres once a week to clear footpaths near schools. This would mean that the area would be cleaned more often. The local Safer Neighbourhood Team have also been clamping down on owners who do not clear up after their pets. Cllr Anna Davies is happy to take action in any other areas where this is a problem.

• [From Comments January 2009]: WHAT future for the Stag Brewery? Local people were shocked to hear that after hundreds of years brewing in Mortlake, the Stag Brewery is set to close. The owner of the brewery has announced that it plans to close the site by 2010. Susan Kramer MP said, "It would be a real loss to see part of our industrial heritage lost." Susan Kramer MP, Leader of the Council Serge Lourie and local councillors are meeting representatives of InBev who own the brewery to discuss whether there are any options to keep it open.

They are also meeting the unions who represent the 200 staff who work there. What about the site? If the brewery is to close, then many people will be concerned about the future for the site. The brewery also owns the fields adjacent to the site, and many people have already expressed concern about what will happen to them. Susan Kramer MP said: "It will be really important to make sure that local people get a real say about what happens to the site." Cllr Anna Davies said, "We want to make sure that the site is redeveloped sensitively, to include benefits for the local community." "That's why we called a public meeting to discuss the future of the brewery and the site."

• SHEEN Lane Roadworks - Businesses open as usual: It is anticipated that the work will go on for up to 13 weeks, but that the road will only be closed for part of that time, while work is being done close to the railway line. Traders have expressed concern about the closure and the fact that signs discourage customers from coming to the area. The Council has agreed to review signage and re-word where appropriate. Susan Kramer MP said, "I know all parties are working together to keep disruption to a minimum while these works are being done." "I would also like to encourage local residents to continue to support their local shops during this period."

• TOWN Centre Manager for Barnes: Cllr Anna Davies said: "I am delighted that the Council has agreed to fund a town centre manager for Barnes. "We desperately need someone who will be able to promote Barnes as a local shopping centre" Sue Nicholl started work in Barnes at the beginning of January. Town Centre Managers help support our local shopping areas and local shops. When the Conservatives ran the Council they scrapped all but one of the town centre managers in the borough.

• EAST Sheen Post Office re-opens: Susan Kramer had many meetings and phone calls with the Post Office and the utilities companies in order to get the Post Office re- opened. Susan Kramer MP said: "Local people have had to put up with so much inconvenience since the Post Office closed in May - it should never have taken this long to get it re-opened." "Thanks for your patience everyone!"