Public Invited to Riverside Workshops
Chance to develop "shared vision" if tunnel proposal is rejected
While Hammersmith and Fulham Council joins local campaigners in fighting Thames Water's plans to build an access shaft to the proposed Thames Tunnel in Fulham's Carnwath Road, the Prince's Foundation is holding two new workshops for local people looking at the area's future if the proposal is rejected.
The two public drop-in sessions are on:
Monday, February 6, 6:30-8:30pm at Hurlingham and Chelsea School
Wednesday, February 8, 6:30-8:30pm at Hurlingham and Chelsea School
Chief Executive of the Prince’s Foundation, Hank Dittmar said: "This is an opportunity for real community engagement and to develop a shared vision for the future of this important river site.
" We will be inviting a range of local stakeholders and experts to work with us to create this vision."
This is the second round of consultations by the foundation.
In workshops held last year, local residents were able to put forward their views on the future regeneration of the area.
The council says there was overwhelming support for a mixed use scheme including the desire to provide better access to the Thames Path, high quality urban design and a renewed focus on the river.
Last year H & F Council produced its own plans for the area, which it is calling South Fulham Riverside, in a Supplementary Planning Document.
These plans saw the building of at least 2,200 new homes, plus shops, community facilities, public spaces and the opening up of the river for water based uses.
However, the plans brings the council into direct conflict with Mayor Boris Johnson and the Port of London Authority. Hurlingham Wharf, part of the land on Carnwath Road earmarked by Thames Water is a safeguarded wharf, which means it is protected from redevelopment into non-port use.
Of the 25 safeguarded wharves west of the Thames Barrier, Hurlingham is one of three chosen to be brought back into industrial use.
The council, which has fought a sustained battle against the entire Thames Tunnel project, has also published its formal response to Thames Water’s phase 2 consultation to argue that Carnwath Road is a completely unacceptable site as:
- Light, noise and vibration pollution associated with the major construction site will last for a minimum of 24 hours a day, seven days a week for at least six years – the length of a child’s primary education
- The 29,000 lorries needed at the site will endanger elderly and vulnerable pedestrians and the thousands of children who attend schools in the area. The local road network will not be able to cope without significant improvements
- 75 existing jobs and six businesses will be displaced for no regeneration gain
- The regeneration proposals that residents, community groups and the Prince’s Foundation helped shape will be blighted for at least 10 years
- Plans to reopen the Thames path along the river will be lost for a decade or more
- The 50ft ventilation tower for noxious fumes will permanently scar the riverfront
- Many of the 15,000 homes and 2,000 businesses located within 2,000 yards of the proposed site will suffer from dampened property values
- The super sewer will not solve a single basement flooding problem
The council is backing a call from The Mayor of London to the Water Minister, Richard Benyon MP, asking him to instruct Thames Water to extend the consultation period to the end of March 2012.
The council is also claiming that the threat to Carnwath Road, or the alternative site across the river in Barn Elms could be minimised, by the expansion of a separate construction site earmarked by Thames Water in Kirtling Street in Wandsworth.
This questionnaire, a shortened version of the one produced by Thames Water can be found here.
If you would prefer to take part in Thames Water's own consultation, go here.
February 2, 2012
