a) Environment - MD/SW

Memorial trees in the park
At the previous Forum meeting, attendees discussed the increasing trend for memorials, in the form of sponsored trees, in The Highams Park (the open area to the side of the lake). Whilst members could see the positive side of this, the majority of attendees were not in favour of the practice because it changes the tone of the park, making it a sober place where as it should be a place of joy. In addition, it became apparent that attendees were not just against memorial tress, they were against additional trees (whether memorial or not) in what they felt should be left as open space. It appeared people liked the contrast between the open space (and its use as a play area) and the dense forest to the west. Comments were also expressed against the apparently random locations and species of the new trees.

Cllr Marion Fitzgerald kindly arranged a meeting at the park with the LBWF arboriculture team. This took place on 21st June. Members from the Forum, together with members of the Highams Residents Association and Cllr Fitzgerald were in attendance.

The LBWF team listened to the views of the attendees and appeared a little surprised by the strength of feeling. They undertook to consult residents before any more planting is planned. MP agreed to be the point of contact and he will distribute onward to interested parties.

Unmown areas in the park
LBWF have experimented recently in The Highams Park with leaving large patches of grass unmown. They explain that this is not a money saving scheme (as suggested by some) but has as its objectives:
- Increase in biodiversity (wildflowers, insects, birds, etc)
- Avoid compression of tree roots when heavy mowers mow close to trees
- Additional character to the park

Some local residents like the new approach but a number have highlighted problems and so Cllr Fitzgerald arranged a meeting at the park with them and the LBWF officers concerned on 23rd June. Some of the negative feedback related to trapped litter and dogs mess in the long grass making it difficult for people to sit under the trees, and stinging nettles surrounding logs which had previously been used as seats. Some also saw the patches as "untidy".

Following the meeting, the officers have attempted to come up with a compromise solution. This includes reducing the areas of long grass, cutting pathways through them, increasing litter picking, and making clear areas available for mothers and toddlers sitting under trees near the play area.

Hale End Road litter - localised problem
At the last meeting it was reported that a resident had emailed the Forum (via the website) with observations about litter in a small section of Hale End Road near the County Arms and the nearby take-away. He had contacted WF Direct and suggested locations for new litter bins in this area. He was impressed by the speedy response of council officers who agreed to consider his request.

Unfortunately nothing happened after that initial response and he was forced to chase on 19th July. LBWF officers have responded that they will "discuss it with the monitoring contract officer next week."

LBWF Tree Strategy 2010-2020
LBWF has produced a draft Tree Strategy for the borough to cover the decade 2010 to 2020. They are seeking feedback by 31st August. The meeting asked MP to email members with the link to the page on the council website.

This is the link:
http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/environment/parksrec/tree-strategy.htm

The page gives a summary of the strategy and the full document (75 pages) can be downloaded.

There is a link to their online survey at the bottom.

MP explained that he had briefly reviewed the document prior to the meeting and had noted one issue on which he would comment (as an individual) to LBWF but he encouraged members to send in their comments separately:

"Page 44, Policies Tm3 and Tm4 are not clear despite the statement in 2.5.7 that the policies have as an objective "providing clarity for residents". One policy refers to a 3 year cycle for "pruning" but the other refers to a 3 year cycle for "inspection". It is not clear what happens when a tree is inspected and does not need pruning in that year but will require pruning the following year. Is it recorded for pruning out of sequence the following year or does it wait another 3 years?"

b) Planning - GR/RT

Update: Tesco
This item relates to the proposed development of a Tesco Store and housing on the site of the former C&A warehouse on Larkshall Road. GR reported that the section 106 agreement was still being debated (between Tesco and LBWF). This document sets out the conditions that are to be attached to the planning permission and the funds to be provided by the developer to help mitigate the effect of the development. It is understood that the sticking point is the timetable for the development of the social housing component of the scheme.

The BBC visited Highams Park on 18th June as part of a programme about "Tesco Towns" for their "Inside - Out" programme. They filmed and interviewed Forum members around the level crossing and by the proposed Tesco site. We understand the programme will be broadcast in October.

Larkshall Rd Car Park Development Proposal (Appeal Hearing 22nd June)
There have now been two applications to build on this site. The first (application ref 2009/1170) was turned down by planning committee and the applicant appealed whilst at the same time submitting a new and slightly modified application (application ref 2010/0050). This newer application was also turned down by planning committee and the applicant appealed this also.

The appeal hearing for both applications took place on 22nd and 23rd June at Waltham Forest Town hall. OS and MD attended and spoke at the hearings. Those attending felt the inspector was very thorough in his approach and we await the outcome which is due very soon (expected "one month from the hearings").

[Additional comment received from OS on 28th July following the Forum meeting:
We've just received news on the Larkshall Road development following the two appeals that were heard a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, although the first appeal was turned down the second appeal has been granted. Certainly the first application was utterly dreadful we can at least be thankful that the second application was much improved - less housing and a much preferable layout which includes a 4.4m nature corridor at the back of the gardens running along Coolgardie Avenue.]

c) Transport - RG

Level Crossing closure for Gas main works
Daniel Binns from the Waltham Forest Guardian newspaper asked the Forum (via MP) for its views on the 6 week planned closure of the level crossing for gas main replacement. This work started today (26th July).

Attendees were fairly relaxed about this work. Although it forced people to go "the long way round" to get to the other side, it was recognised that it was necessary and unavoidable. They also recognised that the timing was sensible given that school holidays had just started and traffic would be reduced during this period.

In terms of advance warning, most attendees were unaware of the planned works until the works started today. A couple of attendees did know in advance as they had noticed the signs erected at the level crossing. Most motorists did not seem to know and there was increased traffic in surrounding roads as they re-routed around the problem. Winchester road experienced heavy traffic at times and backed up onto Larkshall Road due to pinch points and oncoming traffic in Winchester Road.

The Avenue also experienced congestion where the temporary traffic lights were placed. For some reason (maybe the lights being installed on a section where cars were already parked) there were cars attempting to go the wrong way against the single file controlled by the lights.

Attendees felt that problems would settle down over the coming days as motorists got used to the situation.

d) Other Initiatives - MP/RT

Signal Box - Status update
RT recently enquired to find out what was delaying progress.

Back in the summer of 2009 the Signal Box Association brokered an agreement between a local building firm and Network Rail regarding the refurbishment of the Signal Box and its ongoing use. The only outstanding issue was the creation and signing of the Lease. The signing of the lease had been delayed since then, awaiting the formal creation of a schedule of works. The schedule of works was created in January 2010 and has now been submitted to Network Rail. All parties are now waiting on Network Rail and their lawyers to agree the schedule and finalise the lease.

We have experience long delays previously waiting on Network Rail to act. RT stated that he would contact Network Rail to see if he could encourage them to increase the priority on the task.

Youth Club
The club has now closed for the summer holidays and will reopen on Tuesday 7th September 2010. MP reported that all continues to go well for the club. There is a good regular attendance (around 40 youngsters), finances are OK, and volunteers are enthusiastic.

The club would very much welcome new volunteers to assist when it reopens. If you are able to help (either regularly or just occasionally) then please get in touch via the Forum email address (see "contact us" on the website).

- An attendee reported that a film crew had been filming the TV programme "Escape to the Country" in her road featuring a local family who were planning to move to Cambridgeshire. Apparently the lady of the house enthused so much on camera about the benefits of Highams Park that she started to doubt the sense of moving.

- MP stated that he had received notification (unprompted) that he had been registered for "electronic consultation". This means that (via this user id and password) the Forum can electronically comment on LBWF documents made available on their website.

- JM offered to assist RT with progressing short stay free parking in Highams Park (action list item A348). RT will contact JM.