(News from another neighbouring borough that may be of interest / have
interesting parallels for Hackney residents - Deborah)

----- Original Message -----
From: <saifosmani@...>
Subject: PRESS RELEASE: London Mayor vs. Robin Wales



PRESS RELEASE: London Mayor vs. Robin Wales
Friends of Queen's Market

27th March 2009

Dear Friends,

In January London Mayor Boris Johnson visited Queen’s Market in Upton
Park and had “been very impressed by is the range and vibrancy of the
food sector across the city, and he was pleased to be able to see at
first-hand what a fantastic job Queens Market does for all of its
loyal customers. The Mayor believes it is precisely the kind of market
that makes London a world food city.” (GLA, Economic Development Team,
09.03.09)

However in Newham, local Mayor Sir Robin Wales has said he does not
shop at Queen’s Market as it’s dirty- after all it’s his council which
has been so effective in running it down.

Don’t miss the east end battle ring that is Queen’s Market, as the new
London Mayor punches it out with Sir “Robbin’” Wales, London’s highest
paid Council Leader.

Newham Council’s planning department have given Wednesday 8th April,
6.30pm as the date of committee to bulldoze the application through
before it is referred it to the GLA.

We hope the development is not granted permission and the following
major issues effectively questioned:

Inappropriate high rise of 18 and 31 floor tower blocks-
Described by Commission of Architecture and Built Environment as
appearing as “undesirable fortress-like appearance”, "bulky and
overbearing"(CABE, Sept 2008) . The proposal is out of keeping with
the mainly 2-3 floors Victorian and Georgian terraced homes in a
residential area.

Lack of affordable housing-
"The development fails to deliver the quantity of affordable
housing that would normally be required by the Council’s planning
policies for a scheme of this scale. Any increase in the quantum of
affordable housing would be likely to affect the design as it would be
likely to require additional larger family units” (Architect from
Glass House, Report, Nov 2008). Currently only 33 out of 340 units are
deemed “affordable” to local people whilst 6 large family homes are
proposed to be demolished.

Demolition of traditional London street market
- “Queens Market is the key destination and ... we feel that it
has not been celebrated enough in the form or architectural expression
of this building.” (CABE, Sept 2008)

Environmental impact -
“As a large scale scheme including a mixture of uses, we would
hope to see more ambitious sustainability targets. CABE's view is
that tall buildings, given their high profile and impact, should set
exemplary standards with regard to sustainability. We would expect a
project of this size and significance to improve considerably on
current building regulations.” (CABE, Sept 2008)

Traffic and congestion-
The increase of car parking spaces (from 150 to 308) whilst the
site is next door to a train station is out of keeping and will cause
further congestion on an already busy Green Street. “We question if
the proposed number of car parking spaces is perhaps too high for a
town centre site” (CABE, Sept 2008)

Bogus Consultation procedures-
Despite receiving over 2,500 individually written letters since
May 2008 and a 12,000 petition in 2006 against the developer’ St.
Modwens involvement on the site, Newham Council have not listened to
local concerns and the revised plans have not integrated any of the
points made in the objections. Many of the objections were received
from ‘new communities’ where English is not their first language and
from
family households which rely on the market for cheap, culturally
appropriate food.

Increase in rents and service charges-
St. Modwen promised in their Equalities Assessment they were
“working with the market traders and shopkeepers to agree sustainable
rent levels” yet traders have already received letters telling them of
increase of 100%+ of their current rent. This coupled with service
charges will affect the smaller businesses most in one of London’s
most deprived areas at a time of economic hardship.

In the “genuine democratic deficit” that is the London Borough of
Newham the Council have also reduced the seats in the public gallery
seats without consulting the local
community, so we’re asking people to arrive early to make their voice
heard.
Locals have deemed the tactics of the Council and their “preferred”
developers
St. Modwen Properties as a “cultural attack” and “racially divisive”.

You will find further information on our website:
http://www.friendsofqueensmarket.org.uk

Please feel free to contact us on 07915 234 404, or email me or on
saifosmani@... or friendsofqueensmarket@...

Yours sincerely,

Saif Osmani

ATTACHED PICTURES: 1)
Boris Johnson visit’s Queen’s market- January 2009, 2) Friends of
Queen’s
Market at the GLA (September 2008)

For further pictures please contact us or see our website.