London Councils: "£350 million price tag of London’s 7,000 empty shops"

Link to PDF file

"The capital has almost 7,000 vacant shops, costing the London economy £350 million in lost trade and earnings, a new study has revealed.

'Streets Ahead', produced by London Councils, which represents the capital’s 33 local authorities, looks at the capital’s high streets and makes a range of recommendations to improve the local economy.

The study calls for the government to grant councils more powers to curb betting shops, payday lenders and fried food outlets, which can damage high streets. It shows that devolving more powers to councils would help stimulate growth and new jobs.

Dianna Neal, Head of Economy, Culture and Tourism at London Councils said:

“The study’s findings highlight the need for the radical devolution of power and resources to councils to help businesses adapt to a changed consumer environment.

The government could halt further decline by devolving powers to councils to support high streets, such as the ability to stop the damaging spread of betting shops, payday lenders and fried food outlets.”

Boroughs currently do not have the power to control retail outlets which can deter visitors and also have damaging wider social effects, adding to obesity, gambling addiction and serious debt. Recent changes have also made it easier to turn offices into residential units, also undermining growth and local decision making.

The study features a number of innovative case studies as to how boroughs are supporting their local high streets. For example:

• The London Borough of Harrow Inward Investment Strategy team has worked with banks and property agents to develop investment guides to its local district centres, highlighting local demographics and available properties. The average vacancy rate for retail frontages in town centres across the borough has fallen for the second year running from a high of 7.5 per cent in 2009/10 to 6.5 per cent in 2011/12
• The London Borough of Sutton developed a ‘meanwhile lease’ for previously vacant units. This provides an industry standard legal instrument to minimise administrative and legal costs for both landlords and tenants and to enable temporary occupation to take place without the need for lengthy legal procedures, encouraging new enterprises and bringing innovation and creativity back to the high street.

Dianna Neal added:

“Councils are already innovating, but giving boroughs additional powers and resources would go a long way in really creating the conditions for high streets to succeed – creating much-needed jobs."

The Observer: Radical design for Hammerson's new North Circular Road pedestrian bridge

The North Circular Road is not a waterway?
It is sometimes!

"This is not quite at the same scale as great bridge precedents, but it has the same idea – that a bridge is a place, not equipment. It includes on its steel forms a curved array of seating, south-facing and wind-sheltered, like a seaside esplanade.

"The new Scale Lane bridge in Hull has a restaurant (unfortunately untenanted) and a raised circular platform for enjoying the view. You can take two routes around it, one stepped and the other ramped, and it flows from a section of land-based street relandscaped as a series of 'garden rooms'.

"Scale Lane bridge is not just a way of getting from A to B, but something in itself. It's not a gleaming white rebuke to its industrial surroundings but – robust and black – an extension of a place where, as one of the bridge's architects says: 'Even the mud is beautiful'."

[Roposted] Goofy in 'Motor Mania' on the North Circular Road, the A1, the A41,... (1950)

Cycling on Western Avenue

North Circular Road incident

'Unfinished London' videos

London Borough of Barnet Planning Department put on the special measures Naughty Step by Secretary of State Eric Pickles

Image for sale: Liberty Galleries

Link to 'Planning & Regeneration'

web site

"The Department for Communities and Local Government has revealed the identities of more than a dozen district councils which face being placed in 'special measures' for taking too long to determine major applications.

"According to the department’s interim figures, based on performance between July 2011 and March 2013, 10 district councils are in line to be placed in special measures on the basis of making fewer than 30 per cent of major applications within 13 weeks.

These are: Halton, Barnet, North East Derbyshire, Tandridge, Cherwell, Lambeth, Fylde, Daventry, Horsham and Blaby. They must improve their performance in the final quarter of the two-year period to escape a special measures designation."

Evening Standard

Brent LibDems say: "Battle against Barnet’s Welsh Harp towers is not over"

(Number 2 of 2 today)

"Dollis Hill’s Liberal Democrat councillors have pledged to continue their efforts to block 2,000 new flats being built on the Brent boundary overlooking the Welsh Harp, including a massive 29-storey tower.

"Councillor Javaid Ashraf spoke on behalf of concerned residents at last Tuesday’s (23 July) Barnet Council Planning Committee meetings, when he was loudly applauded by people attending the meeting. Despite overwhelming opposition, the controversial application was narrowly approved by Barnet councillors. The application has now been referred to the Mayor of London who has one more week to decide whether to intervene.

"Councillor Ashraf has written to the Mayor of London asking him to overturn Barnet Council’s decision because the planning application contravenes London Plan policies and will harm Brent residents.

"Councillor Ashraf said:

“If built, these tower blocks will dominate the skyline across Welsh Harp and could damage the wildlife and amenity for residents. Barnet councillors were presented with many good reasons to reject the planning ahead but once again decided to load yet more development on the Brent boundary. The Mayor of London now has one final chance to make the right decision.”

"Fellow Liberal Democrat councillor for Dollis Hill, Councillor Alison Hopkins added:

“This decision comes hot on the heels of Barnet agreeing to cram flats onto the old Parcel Force site and working to promote the devastating Brent Cross Cricklewood plans. It’s time the Mayor of London stepped in to prevent Barnet councillors riding roughshod over the interests of Brent residents.”

"Councillor Hopkins is also vice-chair of the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee, which agreed last week to write to the Mayor of London to express its concern. The committee comprises councillors from both sides of the Brent / Barnet boundary, along with representatives from local conservation and residents’ groups."

(That's enough LibDem press releases. Ed.)

SHOP AT BRENT CROSS SHOPPING CENTRE!: The Guardian: "Retailers urged to take Bangladesh safety deal further"

Link to web site

"Workers rights groups are calling on retailers to use a legally binding deal to improve safety for clothes factory workers in Bangladesh as a blueprint for tackling similar problems elsewhere.

"IndustriALL, the international union group which is backing the deal between textile workers and more than 70 retailers to tackle fire safety and building security in Bangladesh, said it had already begun work to build a similar agreement in Pakistan. It comes amid evidence that workers in Pakistan and China face greater workplace risks than those in Bangladesh.

"Retailers including Primark, Marks & Spencer and H&M agreed to independent factory inspections and action to improve manufacturers' buildings in Bangladesh, after the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory building in April killed more than 1,100 people."

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"New direction needed to
lead us out of Wongaland"
(Link to The Guardian)

"Eminent economists have been struggling to explain why output per worker is now lower than it was before the start of the recession. Dick Sargent, in a piece for the journal Economic Affairs, comes up with one simple explanation: labour is cheap and capital is expensive. The financial crisis made the banks much more cautious about lending, and this, combined with a lack of demand from firms in want of 'animal spirits', has led to the decline in business investment.

"At the same time, workers have been taking cuts in real (inflation-adjusted) wages, so employers have been able to generate the same level of output by using less capital and more labour. There was a slowdown in the growth rate of capital per employee, which led to a slowdown in the rate of output per employee.

"... Where do we go from here? Option one is the free-market right's new 'alternative economic strategy': lower taxes, a smaller state, less red tape, liberalisation of planning. Option two is a new AES for the left: national investment bank, Green New Deal, activist industrial and regional policy. Option three is to accept that this is as good as it gets."

"Dollis Hill LibDem councillors demand details of Brent Labour Leader’s private talks with Brent Cross developers"

"Barnet Council papers obtained by Dollis Hill Liberal Democrat councillor Alison Hopkins reveal that top Brent Labour councillors have held ‘friendly’ discussions with the developers behind the highly controversial Brent Cross Cricklewood plans, which could bring thousands more cars onto the streets of Brent.

"Internal Barnet Council emails, released as a result of a Freedom of Information request, show:

• Labour Leader Councillor Muhammed Butt and Lead Member for Regeneration and Projects Councillor George Crane, accompanied by Director of Regeneration and Major Projects Andy Donald, met the promoters of the massive scheme on Thursday 27 June 

• According to the notes of the meeting:
  • The developers received a 'very friendly general reception'
  • Labour councillors’ attitude was that there were 'no fundamental problems'
  • Cllr Butt and Cllr Crane were 'pretty impressed' but might respond to major pressure from residents on the waste issue 'for political reasons'
  • There is no resolution yet to the waste issue.

"The 'Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood' has consistently campaigned against the current scheme – which includes a waste plant on the A5 close to residents and would hugely increase traffic in the area – and in favour of a sustainable approach to regeneration that puts residents first and improves public transport links.

"The previous Brent Cross Cricklewood planning application was unanimously rejected by Brent Council’s planning committee when the Liberal Democrats led the council, after Brent's council officers recommended refusal.

"Councillor Alison Hopkins, who is a founder member of the Coalition, says:

“The proposals have not materially changed since Brent Council opposed the previous planning application.

It’s not acceptable for the leader of Brent Council to conduct hole-and-corner discussions with the developers, while they try to pull the wool over local people’s eyes about what their plans actually mean. It’s clear from these private papers that residents are still at risk from the massive uncertainty over the waste plant plans.

Muhammed Butt and the developers should come clean about the impact of these proposals on Brent residents.”

Does Hammerson's 'LONDON COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY' have a public relations problem? (They could always hire a proper PR agency)

Link to BBC web site

"...The deluge of badly-written press releases, silly events and photo stunts, 'news stories' without news value, and meaningless 'campaigns' have come to irk journalists, and bore an increasingly cynical general public.

Link to 'Barnet Eye'

"If anything, it will be the changing nature of the media that will fundamentally alter the PR industry, weeding-out the hapless and the disingenuous. [Told you this was about 'London Communications Agency'.]

LCA internal discipline

"While some old school PR cliches can work online - the clever photo, or an interesting interview - others, such as the tedious opinion poll-based news-in-briefs which clutter the pages of Monday newspapers, simply go nowhere."

The Observer: "Admit it, [Brent Cross Shopping Centre shopper]. You love cheap clothes. And you don't care about child slave labour"

Link to web site

"... Here is the shopper, agonising over ethical or cheap. What if they can do both? What if they can pluck two pairs of jeans off the rail and hold them up.
One costs

£20.00

One costs

£20.15 

It has a big label on it:

"I'm proud to pay 15p more for these jeans. I believe everyone has the right to a decent standard of living. My jeans were made by a happy worker who was paid the fair rate for the job."

"Go further. Stitch it on to the jeans themselves. I want those jeans.

"I want to know I'm not wearing something stitched by kids kept locked in backstreet godowns, never seeing the light of day, never getting a penny. I want to feel clean. And I want the big brands and the supermarkets to help me feel clean.

"I want people to say to them:

"You deceived us. You told us you were ethical. We want you to change. We want you to police your supply chain as if you care. Name your suppliers. Open them to independent inspection.

We want to trust you again, we really do, because we love your products. Know what? We don't mind paying a few pennies more if you promise to chip in too."

"And here's the best part: I think they would sell more. I think consumers would be happier and workers would be happier. And if I can spend less time trawling through fetid backstreets looking for the truth, I'll be happier."

Daily Telegraph: "Help to Buy risks new house price 'bubble', warns Cable"

"George Osborne's plan to offer Government guarantees for mortgages risks triggering another house price "bubble", the Business Secretary warns"

Link to web site

"Vince Cable said that the help-to-buy scheme unveiled in the Budget earlier this year could simply 'inflate' the housing market, as occurred in the last decade.

"From next year, first and second time buyers will be offered government guarantees which should allow them to obtain competitive mortgages even if they have relatively small deposits.

"... However, some economists and business leaders have voiced warnings about the scheme and Mr Cable – who previously warned about the dangerous levels of debt before the financial crisis - has now indicated he shares their concerns."

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Link to web site

The Observer:
"Political cowardice stops us from solving our wretched housing crisis"

"The most desirable parts of London are out of reach for all except the world's super-rich. The taxation of property is stuck at 1991 values because no politician will entertain the political fallout of organising the council tax on proper, up-to-date valuations, let alone entertain introducing a rational system of property tax.

"Even the declared aims of policy are not being met. Owner occupation, despite universal invocations to its importance, is stagnating at around 15 million homes, falling as a proportion of total households to 64% – the lowest for 25 years. Fewer than half the homes in London are now owner occupied. Social housing is in gentle decline. Meanwhile, the private rented sector has nearly doubled over the last 15 years to 4 million homes.

"Indeed, in some local authorities, a third of former council houses, sold under right-to-buy legislation, are winding up, crazily, in the hands of buy-to-let landlords, who charge half as much rent again as the former local authority landlords.

"It is mad, mad, mad, yet much of Britain's economic structure and culture are invested in the madness. Around 60% of all UK bank lending is in residential mortgages, and most personal wealth is bound up with housing."

Navin Shah Slams Approval of Welsh Harp Planning Application (part of the Cricklewood, Brent Cross and West Hendon Development Framework area)

"Barnet Council on Tuesday 23rd July ignored strong objections from local residents to refuse the Welsh Harp planning application for demolition and redevelopment of West Hendon Estate.

"The committee room was packed with residents and representatives of stakeholder organisations, objecting to the ill-conceived and harmful planning scheme which would destroy this key site of major local, London and National importance. Prior to the meeting, demonstrators gathered outside the Town Hall for a rally

"London Assembly Member Navin Shah spoke for Brent residents when he addressed the planning committee and conveyed his strong objection to the application:

"This is an exceptional and most significant site of remarkable value, enjoyed and cherished by the people of Brent, Barnet and visitors. In summary, the proposed development will see nearly four-fold increase in the current population. The proposal constitutes gross over-development and it will destroy the SSSI quality, heritage and the value this site provides.

I have made a detail written submission OBJECTING to the scheme on material planning grounds, which I’d urge the planning committee to consider carefully. I’d like to highlight briefly some of the key issues.

• In my view, the scale of the development with 2,000 residential units together with commercial and community facilities is wholly inappropriate and unsustainable.
• The proposals for this SSSI site lack adequate research and evidence to demonstrate that the scale and design of the development can sustain and enhance the quality of nature conservation.
• Barnet’s Core Strategy justifies 8-20 storey blocks and London Plan justifies tall buildings in town centres and in major zones of economic development. In this context, the proposed 29, 27 and 21 high tower blocks are inappropriate. The built environment with tower blocks and the resultant bulk dominating the skyline will not be in keeping with the character of this area.
• Residential proposals have no relevance to the preferences of Barnet’s residents and to the Council and Mayor’s policies. Woefully small provision of 20 ‘houses’ (only 1% of total) and 290 Duplex Apartments for family size units make a mockery of Barnet’s Core Strategy. As to Socially rented housing, in my view, for a scheme of this scale a minimum of 40% and not 25% provision is required.
• I’d like to draw the attention of the committee on the flaws related to the Social Infrastructure proposals and my concerns about transport, parking and congestion expressed in my written submission. I beg the members to listen to the genuine concerns of residents and protect this site from destruction by refusing permission."

"The application would now go to London Mayor Boris Johnson, who can either wave through the scheme or direct Barnet Council to refuse it on planning rounds.

Add caption

"Speaking after the meeting Navin Shah - Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow - said:

"This shocking decision by Barnet Council will obliterate the beautiful landscape, tranquility and ecological values of a site which is supposed to be protected for its scientific interest.

On every single key issue like the density, urban design (height of blocks), housing, community facilities and transport and traffic, the application is seriously flawed and does not comply with Barnet nor London Mayor’s planning policies. 29 Storey tower block may be fine for Manhattan but spell total disaster for Welsh Harp.

Overdevelopment with four-fold increase of population and tower blocks on this site is a solution from hell – one that will vandalise this site of exceptional beauty and importance.

It is dreadful that Barnet Council has failed to listen to the local communities in Brent and Barnet and it’s equally disgraceful that the Mayor of London failed to raise concerns about this seriously flawed application during his Stage 1 examination.

The Mayor would now have a final say on this application and I will be lobbying him to reject this application. I urge residents and campaigners to press Mayor Johnson for refusal and save this significant spot of natural beauty from permanent destruction.”

TransportXtra: "DfT rejects ‘peak car’ theory and forecasts 40% more traffic" (It is less in London, although Brent Cross has long been designated a 'regional shopping centre', the only one in London)

TransportXtra:

"The DfT has rejected the theory of 'peak car' and is forecasting road traffic in England to grow by 43% by 2040.

"Revised road traffic forecasts for England were published last week alongside the Command Paper 'Action for Roads'. The new central forecast produced by the National Transport Model (NTM) is that traffic will grow by 43% between 2010 and 2040. Car traffic is forecast to grow 39%, light goods vehicle traffic 80%, and HGV 19%."

Road Transport Forecasts 2013

"Brent Cross is the only shopping destination in London
to offer free customer parking all year round!

The car parks at Brent Cross provide up to 8,000 free parking
spaces, so you can relax and enjoy the Brent Cross shopping
and dining experience in style, without worrying about your ticket
running out or how high the parking charges will be."

Good News on House Prices: "London house prices still surging, says Land Registry"

Link to BBC web site

"House prices in London are continuing to outstrip those in other parts of the country, according to the latest Land Registry figures.

"The average price of a property in England and Wales rose by 0.8% in the 12 months to June, reaching £162,621.

"But London prices went up 6.9% in the same period, bringing the average price in the capital to £383,930."

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"Keeping mortgage rates low places a
ticking time bomb under housing market"

 "House prices are too high all over Britain, and the Government’s
Help to Buy could soon become “Help to Boom and Bust” – 
as house prices surge again in the South of England. 

"The homelessness charity Shelter has published a devastating report
on solutions for the housing shortage which shows house building
is now half what it must be to meet Britain’s needs.

"The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) also stresses
the need for far more affordable housing and for local authorities to be
free to borrow to build homes without Treasury restriction."

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Link to
The Guardian

"If all else fails, they say, you can always lower your standards. This is what we have become used to doing in relation to the UK economy.

"... Global factors are, of course, beyond the UK's control, but there is [something] partially within its control, that may derail the recovery. It is the asset bubbles that have developed in the stock market and in the property market, fuelled by cheap credit (sounds familiar?)."

Clitterhouse Farm Project and Creative Cricklewood

LB of Brent's submission to Boris for multi-million 'Go Dutch' cycling grant - no doubt LB of Barnet's bid is EVEN BETTER!

Brent Cyclists say:

"Outer London boroughs were eligible to bid for a share of £100 million to focus spending on cycle infrastructure intensively on one of their town centres. Bids were submitted in early July 2013.

"18 of the 20 outer London boroughs submitted bids (only Havering and Bromley did not). Brent Cyclists were closely involved in the preparation of Brent's bid.

"A shortlist of 6–8 boroughs will be announced at the end of August, who will then be funded to develop fully-costed and detailed programmes. There are expected to be between one and four final winners announced in November."

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'Ways to Wembley':
Key Outcomes

1. Wembley will be a fully accessible cycle destination and cycling hub for Brent
   People travelling to Wembley for work, sporting events, entertainment and shopping will arrive by bike. Segregated cycle paths, secure cycle parking and a bike hub will be created
2. Breaking down the physical barriers to cycling
   The considerable road and rail barriers to journeys by bike will be overcome to encourage greater levels of cycling in the borough. At present physical barriers include the North Circular Road, River Brent and Dudding Hill freight line, which all run in parallel to each other, as well as rail and Tube lines across Brent.
3. Social barriers to cycling will be removed
   We will be looking to break down some of the social barriers to cycling. Wembley has high proportions of groups who do not strongly participate in cycling. We will develop education and awareness-building initiatives with these groups, to encourage a greater take-up of cycling in those communities.
4. Develop a Brent Cycle Route Network
   We will look to develop a clear, direct and well-connected network. The network will focus on the Wembley to Neasden route through the Jubilee and Metropolitan Superhighway and the Jubilee and Orbital Quietways, but there will also be routes from other parts of the borough which link into this network and to Wembley.
5. More people travelling by bike in Brent
   We recognise that distances may be too great for many to commute from Brent to central London by bike, so we will particularly target shorter journeys now made by car, along with journeys to railway stations. Although cycling levels in Brent are low, with around 1% mode share, historically there is a high propensity to cycle, and we will look to increase this mode share to around 5% or more.

Ways to Wembley

Brent & Kilburn Times, and Disgusted of Dollis Hill

(From two weeks ago)

Dear Mr McGuinness

I've just read your letter in our local papers, accusing me of lying with regard to the Brent Cross Cricklewood proposals.  I am appalled by the tenor and the content of it.

It is disingenuous in the extreme to state that there are no plans and never have been for a dump or incinerator. The exiting waste transfer facility, which you propose to move to the Geron Way site, is a dump. The proposed gasification of waste, using ill defined processes, will have to use some kind of pyrolysis. I'd refer you to the excellent arguments on this by Prof Paul Connett.

And, I have emails from Network Rail confirming that they have no funding or business plans for the so-called Brent Cross Cricklewood station.

As to the road layouts, as someone who has lived less than a mile from Brent Cross for close on forty years, I can assure you I've studied these in considerable detail and from a profound local knowledge of traffic patterns and behaviour. I'm also aware that they're based on inaccurate and deeply flawed traffic assessments, which make statements that are actually physically impossible.

If you want to find out what's local people really think of these plans, then come and knock [original said 'kick'!] on local doors, and talk to those who actually live here, rather than those who shop at Brent Cross and often come from some distance. I do this almost every day. Perhaps if any of your exhibitions had been in Brent, you might have fond out the real fears about your still ill-thought-out plans.

At the exhibition, Mr Joseph assured me and my husband that the dump and incinerator would not happen. Who are we now to believe?

Frankly, if this is the attitude to be expected, then these much vaunted meetings to talk transport and waste will be an utter whitewash and a total waste of time. I see little purpose in them.

Alison Hopkins
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Dollis Hill

The PR outfit 'London Communications Agency' operates firm discipline, coupled with flair.

"At 5.21pm yesterday I sent an email on behalf of Jonathan Joseph about the Brent Cross Cricklewood consultation and I accidently copied email addresses into the ‘CC’ field instead of blind copying the email to everyone.

"I am emailing now to apologise to you all about this.

"I fully recognise that this was a breach of your personal data which we have promised to respect and I would like to sincerely apologise on behalf of both myself and my company that this has happened.

"This was a genuine mistake – of which Jonathan had no knowledge – which should not have happened and I am truly sorry for this error.

"Please be assured that we shall never repeat this error and we do hugely appreciate you taking the time to contribute to the Brent Cross Cricklewood consultation.

"If anyone would like to discuss this with me I am on 020 7612 8480 and please do accept my humble apologies that this has happened."

Simon Lawrence
Account Manager [for how much longer?]
London Communications Agency

"First of 30,000 Olympic Park residents move in next month"

Link to Evening Standard

"The first of 30,000 permanent residents in the new 'legacy' neighbourhood of Stratford E20 will move into their apartments on the former Olympic Park next month.

"They will be renting newly converted flats in the former athletes’ village where stars such as Jessica Ennis-Hill and Usain Bolt lived during last summer’s event.

"It has taken a year to turn the 'dormitaries' without kitchens for the 11,000 athletes into homes fit for families, although much of the 560-acre park is still a vast building site.

"But the future 'new town' is finally starting to take shape. All the surviving sports arenas and other buildings now have their futures secured."

Daily Telegraph: "The good, the bad or the ugly? How the UK economy stands up"

Link to web site

"The recovery is gathering momentum, with GDP expanding 0.6pc in the second quarter. But is it the right kind of growth, or merely the dying throws of a country condemned to decline? For every optimist, you'll find at least one pessimist. So is the UK economy good, bad, or just plain ugly?

"For the first time in almost three years, and for only the fifth time since 1998, the economy has begun firing on all cylinders. Services, industrial production – including manufacturing, construction, and agriculture all expanded in the second quarter, as the recovery accelerated from 0.3pc growth in the first three months to 0.6pc in the second quarter.

"... For all the relief that the economy is growing solidly again, underlying concerns remain. The long-awaited rebalancing is not happening, and growth is still so weak the economy is dropping further behind its potential. Depending on your perspective, the UK economy is good, bad or just plain ugly."

Evening Standard: "Soaring housing cost in London ‘is damaging business’"

Link to web site

"The spiralling cost of living in London is becoming an increasing worry for companies in the capital, Britain’s biggest business group warned today.

"The CBI called on Boris Johnson to help build more homes, as new research showed housing is now the second-most significant concern for businesses.

"Only overall operating costs is considered a more important issue by companies operating in London, according to a survey by the lobby group and accountancy giant KPMG."

CIHT's response to "Investing in Britain's Future"

Link to web site

"The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, announced:

"£28 billion will be invested from 2014-2020, in enhancements and maintenance of national and local roads."

"The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation believes that road building must form part of an integrated multi-modal transport strategy, and should not be developed in isolation. 

"Schemes that are developed through the National Roads Programme should be appraised with the full consideration of sustainability principles.

"Sue Percy, Chief Executive, CIHT said:

“Whilst we welcome the investment outlined for the highways sector, CIHT believe that this must form part of a long-term, multi-modal strategy. This and future investment must not only be in large-scale high profile schemes, but also in smaller scale projects that can have a direct positive impact on local communities and economies.’

Everyone relies on or uses transport daily, integrated transport is fundamental to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the community. The whole transport network (including rail, buses, walking & cycling) is important to different users in different ways, and must be effective to provide a safe and efficient level of service."

[Reposted from Nov 2012] Sky: "Housing Crisis: New Towns Bid By Clegg"

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Link to Sky (believe in butter)

"Nick Clegg is calling for the creation of a new generation of towns and garden cities to address Britain's growing housing crisis.

"The Deputy Prime Minister warns that unless radical action is taken to boost house-building, for many young people their dreams of a home of their own will be no more than a "pipe dream".

"... He will say they should draw inspiration from the garden cities of the early 20th century, such as Letchworth and Welwyn, and the new towns of the post-war era like Milton Keynes and Stevenage."

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Link to HOME (see all posts).

"661 new homes and 36-floor tower to be built at brewery." (After today's Hammerson email debacle, London Communications Agency couldn't organise a p*ss-up in one)

Link to Evening Standard

"A historic brewery is to be brought back to life after being developed into luxury homes — and a new beer-making house.

"The Ram Brewery in Wandsworth, which claimed to be Britain’s oldest brewing site in continuous operation, dating back to the 1500s, stopped production in 2006. This week, planning chiefs gave developers the green light to create 661 new homes while bringing the disused site back to life.

"... The developers will also give Wandsworth £16.5 million in Community Infrastructure Levy, which could go towards a redesign of the notorious Wandsworth one-way traffic system."

"Giant £200m snow dome planned for Stratford" (Brent Cross wants to spend that much on new roads, for its extra congestion)

Link to Evening Standard

"A giant snow dome to rival the largest indoor ski resort in the world is to be built next to the Olympic Park site in Stratford.

"... It is believed the project, which will cost up to £200 million and is being funded by shopping centre developers Westfield, could be ready to open in 2015.

"... Westfield Stratford City will submit a planning application to the London Legacy Development Corporation by the end of the summer.

Central London Northern Line Station: Mrs Angry goes home to Barnet (For greater atmosphere, play both videos at once)

'Link to:
Top hats to Totteridge'

Upper Lee Valley Planning Framework (unlike in Barnet, it's not an official policy of "roads, roads, roads and roads")

Link to Greater London Authority for documents

"The Upper Lee Valley Opportunity Area Planning Framework (ULV OAPF) was adopted by the Mayor in July 2013. It has been produced by the GLA working with TfL and the London Boroughs of Enfield, Haringey, Waltham Forest and Hackney.

"The OAPF sets out an overarching framework for the regeneration of the area which is amplified where necessary by boroughs’ own planning documents for specific areas. It is Supplementary Planning Guidance to the London Plan and will be used as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

"The OAPF sets out 8 objectives:

1. Growth at Tottenham Hale, Blackhorse Lane, Meridian Water in Central Leeside and Ponders End.
2. Optimised development and redevelopment opportunities along the A10/A1010 Corridor, in particular the Tottenham High Road Corridor and Northumberland Park.
3. Over 15,000 new jobs by 2031 across a range of industries and a green industrial hub creating greater learning and employment opportunities.
4. Over 20,100 new well designed homes by 2031.
5. Full integration between the existing communities and the new jobs, homes and services provided as part of the new developments.
6. A Lee Valley Heat Network linked to the Edmonton Eco Park.
7. Significant investment and improvements to transport infrastructure, including four trains per hour on the West Anglia Main Line and improvements to help people walk and cycle more easily through the area.
8. A fully accessible network of green and blue spaces which open up the Lee Valley Regional Park. The networks between them will be improved, benefitting both people and wildlife."

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"In 2012, the Lower Lea Valley played host to the most successful Olympic and Paralympic Games ever. The legacy of that fantastic Summer is now taking shape.

"Just up the road, the Upper Lee Valley has the potential to offer similar change. It is in many ways a hidden gem. Firstly, an illuminating history full of interest. As an example, Sir Jules Thorne, the founder of the Electric Lamp Services Company Limited bought his first lighting company, the Atlas Lamp Works in Edmonton in 1932. This company became known as Thorn and quickly became one of the largest lighting and electrical companies in the World. All from a base in the Upper Lee.

"Secondly, its existing assets such as the wonderful Lee Valley Regional Park. And finally, its bright future which includes major investment in the West Anglia Main Line and the multi-million new stadium to be built by Tottenham Hotspur.

"Of course, the Upper Lee is not without its challenges which includes pockets of deprivation and I am determined to address these issues. This framework will be used as a basis to direct public sector investment in rebuilding and regenerating communities. This is a joint statement of intent between myself and the Upper Lee Valley boroughs to create jobs and housing opportunities.

"I want to see a busy, thriving community of residents and workers in places that are beautiful, that will capitalise on their industrial heritage, that are fully integrated with their surroundings and which create accessible links to the Park.

"I am therefore delighted to introduce this Upper Lee Valley Opportunity Area Planning Framework. I look forward to working in partnership with all those who can help deliver this vision, in particular the London Boroughs of Enfield, Haringey, Waltham Forest and Hackney, Transport for London, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the North London Strategic Alliance."

Boris Johnson

Broken Barnet: "Picnics and such tricks: Barnet Tories approve the Welsh Harp development"

Link to Mrs Angry's 'Broken Barnet

"Stormy weather: an eventful week, and more trouble ahead for Barnet Council after last night's vote to approve the hugely controversial development plans for a monstrous housing development by Barratt Homes, alongside the Welsh Harp reservoir.

"The development is controversial, not just for the evident ugliness and inappropriate design of the proposed housing - including 29-storeyed high-rise flats - but due to the sensitive location, a 'site of special scientific interest', and one of incalculable importance to the ecological well-being of the surrounding heavily-populated and congested area.

"This proposed development - already being marketed - is on the border with Brent, whose opposition to the plans is clearly expressed here."