Councillor Lister talks to Putney SW15
Councillor Lister writes to Putney
T Mobile's defeat, new jobs on the High Street & more ...
Congratulations to those Putney Common residents who fought so hard to defeat the plans by T-Mobile for a phone mast on the roof of the Spencer Arms
The issue had aroused genuine local anxiety and we can all be delighted that the planning committee took the right decision.
It is clear that both the telecommunications industry and the Government have a big credibility problem here. They cannot expect the public to take the health issues on trust.
For planning committees to be told it is not their job to determine health safeguards is infuriating when this is clearly the number one concern for people.
It is time the Government launched a nationwide information campaign to answer these crucial health and safety questions.
There was more joy in Deodar Road as residents saw the same planning meeting turn down an over-sized development proposal for the old Dowell Lloyd auction rooms.
Let's hope the developer has got the message and comes back with an application that sits better with the neighbouring two-storey houses in this part of Deodar Road.
The arrival of Woolworths on the old Iceland site has been good news for local people with 50 new jobs created. The scale of the investment here certainly bears out the town centre manager's message that big brands are choosing Putney. The store is already a hit with shoppers with the store reporting takings more than 50 per cent above target for the opening weekend.
I'm told that Putney is the prototype for a new model of high street store - if it works here this is likely to be rolled out in town centres across the country.
There's more good news for the high street with the council now setting aside a further 120k to continue the improvements already agreed for the area outside the library. This will allow us to extend the scheme into the High Street.
Finally a warm thank you to the Putney Commercial Forum who fund-raised for the illuminated Christmas tree at St Mary's Church. Sponsors included local estate agents Allan Fuller, solicitors Russell-Cooke solicitors, Putney Wharf developers St George and the Putney Society.
Passionate residents, enthusiastic retailers and concerned amenity groups - all of them value the unique Putney environment and are prepared to put in the effort needed to preserve it. My thanks go out to everyone who works so hard to make living in Putney so enjoyable.
Edward Lister
Edward Lister is the Leader of Wandsworth Council and a member for Putney's Thamesfield ward.
