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Ms Jane Seaborn of Chris Blandford Associates gave a presentation about proposed developments:
Q: Resident: "Do I understand that all these things will go ahead without any residents' say so?" A: Jane Seaborn: "Absolutely not. We are starting the ball rolling by suggesting ideas. Let us know what you think. We will talk to people at events happening over the summer. We are looking at how the park is used at present. We do not necessarily want to encourage too many people to come but we need to clarify what you want." Q: Resident: "Are there any leaflets we can take away?" A: Jane Seaborn: "There are a limited number of posters. You can email us at: Norwood.Grove@Croydon.gov.uk Q: Resident: "There is a lot of disquiet. We are worried about things being imposed. People who regularly use the park feel this meeting was announced very suddenly." Q: Resident: "What's wrong with it? Why change it?" A: Jane Seaborn: "There is nothing wrong with the park. Things in the park could be improved so we are doing preparatory work to find out. The Bowling Club needs toilet facilities for instance. We hope there is sufficient interest in the park to form a Friends of Norwood Grove group. This will be an active body to find out the views of local residents." Q: Resident: "How much is this project costing the council? Where did the idea come from?" A: Jane Seaborn: "Croydon Council is not paying anything. The money is coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund. There is interest because it is an historic heritage site. It is at the edge of the borough and is not fully appreciated as a heritage asset." A: Cllr Pat Ryan: "We don't want any scare tactics. This project is not costing anybody. We want to ensure the park is maintained." A: Cllr Shafi Khan: "Why have residents come in fighting mood? We want to improve the park, not do anything unwanted. Some fences are down which creates security risks for young children. There is a lady with 25 dogs who is abusive and we want to do something about it." For further information, please contact: Helen Lomasney (Parks Technical & Allotment Officer) on tel: 020 8686 4433 x.62992 or by email: Helen.Lomasney@Croydon.Gov.UK |
| "Norwood Grove Heritage Development" The chair introduced the speaker: Barry Lambton: Croydon Council's Green Spaces Manager (there was nobody from Chris Blandford Associates identified at any stage in the meeting). Barry Lambton spoke for about 6 minutes and in summary covered: The history of Norwood Grove (which was mainly the history of the White House poorly gleaned from the plaques!). The tranquillity and beauty of Norwood Grove and the need to preserve that for future generations. The plans to regenerate Norwood Grove including an arena (at around that point a number of people in the audience murmured "No!"), but he also mentioned conservation management and access. The consultants who had been appointed to get money from the Heritage Lottery fund. An emphasis that they (Croydon Council and the Consultants) had consulted widely in different areas and by different ways and he quickly read down a list of mostly obscure and unheard of 'consultations"; he included: the presentation at the White House - a stand the Council set up somewhere, a meeting with a regional access group, consultations with a local primary school fun day, consultation with local companies and questionnaires sent out. People wanted better management and safety, and better facilities. When he said people wanted more activities the chorus of "No!" chimed in again - and he explained that this would be for things like classical music and Shakespearean plays. And people (Barry Lambton said) also wanted accessible information. The next stage would be an open public exhibition at The White House on Saturday 10 December 2005 from 10:30 to 3:30, followed by details available from the Council between the 12th and 19th December and on the internet. The newly reforming Friends of Norwood Grove - and how the Council and Consultants would welcome their input. The fact that despite rumours there were NO plans for a large new car park or big stadium - that their aim was to restore and preserve Norwood Grove. Stephen Tarling spoke for about 2 minutes and covered: Thanks to Barry for his positive and helpful words. The Friends of Norwood Grove had indeed reformed with about 100 members. Membership forms had been circulated. Our first committee meeting is to be next week, we've already established liaison with other local groups. We had already held one meeting in the White House and consulted everyone who came along then to join or just to talk to us. We found that very few local residents or users of Norwood Grove had actually been consulted and they were disappointed by this. We would welcome the sensitive preservations of Norwood Grove (chorus of "Hear! Hear!"). We welcomed a focus on safety and feared that unsuitable activity and problems could be displaced from Streatham Common (partly because of the park rangers now there). We welcomed better management: for instance a warden after school hours and at weekends (sounds off: noises of approval). There was absolutely no support from any member or anyone we talked to for any wholesale reworking of Norwood Grove. It was hardly surprising their were rumours abroad, since there were, as yet, no minutes from the 19 October 2005 meeting and no plans had been made available. We were considering a winter social event and would welcome Barry and the appropriate Croydon Council colleagues and a local rep from Chris Blandford Associates. Barry didn't reply; Tricia Whyte felt Stephen had covered most items so didn't bother to add anything and the meeting moved on. |
"1) The minutes from the meeting on 19th October are being incorporated into a newsletter which will be circulated to people who attended the meeting and anyone else who has expressed an interest in the project. The plan displayed at the meeting was produced at the beginning of the summer before any consultation had taken place and was showing suggestions by the consultants. A draft master plan is currently being prepared which includes feedback from the summer consultation and the public meeting. This plan will be available for the exhibition on 10th December; however we should get a copy before that date which we can forward for your information, however it will not be in time for your meeting [of 22 Nov 2005].
2) The exhibition will be from 10.30 to 3.30pm on 10th December hopefully in the Music room but if it isn't available we will use the Orangery. The display will then be put in the Central Library, Katherine Street from 12th to 19th.
a) I attach a copy of the notes that Barry used last week at the Neighbourhood Partnership meeting.
b) We would be happy for you to have a table on the 10th at the exhibition. We will be setting up from about 10.00am on the day and look forward to seeing you then."
Friends of Norwood Grove home page