Council+Statement+Dec+2010


 * Statement to Council: The future of Wards Corner, Seven Sisters **

The Wards Corner Community Coalition (WCC) has been campaigning since 2007 for a community-led development of Wards Corner based on historical and business continuity whilst also creating a more sustainable, successful, inclusive and loved urban space. We intend to progress this vision, which over the years has gained wide and well-evidenced community support.

There is no question that we all want Wards Corner developed but the fact that local people have rejected the plans for the site promoted by Grainger and the Council demonstrates the need for the Council to work towards meaningful and genuine community collaboration - and not to just simply rely on generalities in planning policies.

Despite our recent landmark judgment in the High Court, which overturned Grainger Plc’s planning permission, and our subsequent invitations to the Council to explore positive steps forward, we have not seen any change of attitude of the leading Council members or officers.

Considering the current economic climate, the WCC alternative vision is a much more realistic and feasible proposition than that put forward by Grainger. It will harness the energies and resources of people who have already invested in the site and who want to make it better. A community-led vision will gain the active support of local business and residential communities around Wards Corner, which will benefit the Council. We already have the support of many local, London-wide and national community and urban development organisations and groups.

The constrained circumstances of the Council’s finances and those of Grainger (and most of the construction industry) suggest that using the talents and energies of local people to create an innovative and collaborative development is much more likely to attract funding and wider commercial and political support than the Grainger plan. Conventional sourced investment seems no longer feasible. Organisations such as The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, RIBA, London Metropolitan University, Development Trust Association and several architectural firms have all offered either financial or practical support.

Once again we ask you not to repeat past mistakes and instead work with the WCC to progress a shared vision/plan for Wards Corner. The WCC meet every Monday and would be happy for you to attend and talk further.

With Best Wishes, and Season’s Greetings, From all at Wards Corner Community Coalition