27 September - They ignore residents at their peril
While
Crossrail powers on with
the largest civil engineering project in Europe and
Peabody imaginatively transforms the Green Chain walk, Bexley council still
shows no sign of replacing the Lesnes Abbey Visitor Centre it
knocked down nine months ago.
Last Friday a couple of men could be seen scratching around in the earth but of the promised rebuild there is no sign.
Bexley council seems to regards its parks as a liability on the one hand but also a cash cow that
might keep its financial head above water if it can get away with it.
We will almost certainly see the council approve their park closure plans before the year is out.
The Old Farm Park consultation process ended two weeks ago and
provoked 1,361 responses, none of them agreeing with Bexley council’s avowed
policy. When it is ignored, democracy in Bexley will reach a new low point.
Not only have Conservative councillors
Slaughter and
Leitch nailed their disapproving colours to the mast,
James Brokenshire MP put his weight behind the park saving campaign too.
I still don’t give much for their chances.
It will be a sad day when Teresa O’Neill OBE’s (Oak & Beech Eliminator) mismanagement brings the borough to a new low point and those who saw
it all coming will have to console themselves with the thought that even more
people will recognise a disaster when they see one.
James Brokenshire is not the only local politician to express disquiet, nor is
Old Farm Park the only open space under threat.
A few miles to the north open spaces in Erith are under threat too and given
the huge number building projects, both commercial and residential, that that
town is accepting for the benefit of the whole borough’s tax base, it can ill
afford to lose any of its presently green spaces.
Labour councillor Abena Oppong-Asare has made her feelings felt as follows…
I am writing to you as an elected Labour councillor for Erith Ward in
response to the council’s public survey regarding proposals for possible
redevelopment of four open spaces. My response is on behalf of my Erith
residents regarding the release of West Street small park and has been developed
following discussions with Erith residents.
I appreciate the Council is facing substantial financial challenges, but I
strongly oppose the removal of green spaces.
Public Health England statistical data published in June 2015 shows that in
Bexley, 22·% (576) of children in Year 6 are classified as obese, worse than
the average for England and I feel that keeping open spaces will help reduce
obesity in the area. I recognise that the council has been trying to tackle
obesity in adults and set up an adult weight management service in September
2014. We also need to tackle the problem of childhood obesity.
Public Health England has carried out research which has shown that over half of
people living in deprived areas would take more exercise if green spaces were
improved. Furthermore, good quality and well maintained parks are more likely to
be used and local residents report higher ‘neighbourhood satisfaction’ and
better health as a result.
A lot of regeneration is taking place in Erith. Bexley College Erith Campus
opened a year ago. Erith Quarry received planning permission from Bexley Council
in March for their development and there is possibility that the former
Riverside Baths might be turned into flats. It is therefore vital that Erith
maintains what is left of its green public space.
I also have grave concerns about the way the survey has been conducted. Question
5 of the survey gives very limited options to residents objecting the closure of
any of the parks. The council has many more options than the three mentioned and
is misleading ones listed. I also don’t believe that it clarifies the reason to
keep West Street small park.
The questions asked are as follows:
• Substantial reductions in ground maintenance, which would result in
unmaintained parks, the removal of children’s playgrounds and the loss of sports pitches.
• £1 million reduction per year in spending on other Council services.
• A Council tax rise of more than 1.99% (subject to a local referendum)
I urge the Council to remove its proposal to dispose of West Street small park and work with local
residents, community groups and ward councillors to establish a way of keeping the park in
public use while achieving savings for the council.
I would like to conclude by saying that green open spaces are in scarce supply in our area and
that West Street small park provides a valuable contribution to the street scene and
environment in this deprived area of our borough.
I would also like to thank you for giving me and residents in Erith the
opportunity to add our comments.
I look forward to receiving a reply to my comments.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Abena Oppong-Asare
Erith Ward
The next couple of months are sure to prove very interesting to council watchers.