Thamesfield Councillors' Spring Update

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An additional update from your local ward Councillors

In the run up to the Easter break we are sending out an update on a variety of stories affecting the area.

Easter Egg Hunt (STOP PRESS)
Readers are reminded to look out for Easter Eggs in the Putney Exchange and surrounding town centre shops in the run up to Easter. Prizes to be won. Click for further details and an entry form.

Spencer Arms
The planning applications committee have approved the application for tables and chairs on the common in line with the application plus an additional condition.
The links below refer to the application and the decision of the committee
http://tinyurl.com/d87z4qr

http://tinyurl.com/crz5mns

Let’s hope that the weather is good enough for the facility to be enjoyed.

Richmond Mansions
An Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has upheld Wandsworth Council’s refusal of planning permission for building an extra floor on the roof of Richmond Mansions in Lower Richmond Road, Putney. This would have created a two-bedroom flat with front and rear roof terraces. But local councillor Jim Maddan supported residents of the Mansions in opposing this proposal, because it would have disrupted the iconic skyline provided by the buildings in the Putney Embankment Conservation Area.

The Inspector, Jennifer Tempest, dismissed an appeal against the council’s decision and said:
“the importance and character of the Embankment cannot be overstated, including the high quality of the Victorian and Edwardian buildings, especially the mansion flats. Views of the conservation area from the river, the Fulham bank opposite and the bridge are noted as being particularly attractive.”

Putney Pier
The owner of Putney Pier, Livett’s Launches, has submitted a revised planning application in relation to the provision of moorings for houseboats etc. The council are consulting on the revised plans and everybody who objected / commented last time will be written to.
Please make your views known.
The revised plans can be inspected on the council’s website at reference 2012/6004.

Thames Tunnel
Justine Greening, MP for Putney, has sent out an update on the Thames Tunnel application by Thames Water (see below):
"I just wanted to keep you all up to date with the Thames Tunnel project. Thames Water has now submitted the planning application into the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspectorate has 28 days to check that the developer has complied with the 2008 Planning Act (as amended). This decision should be made by Thursday 28 March 2013.

If the Planning Inspectorate accepts the application for examination, Thames Water will publish a notice inviting members of the public to become an Interested Party. This may be something some members of the group would like to take up and register for. As an Interested Party, you will be able to present your views to the Examination Authority and attend any meetings or hearings regarding the project. You will also be sent all relevant information about the project for the lifetime of the examination. You can find out more information about how to register as an interested party here .

More information about the Planning Inspectorate process can be found online here .

Given that the Planning Inspectorate should have made a decision about whether it will be considering the application by the end of March, I thought it would be helpful to get the working group back together after that decision has been taken to get an update from Thames Water on where things stand and the process moving forward. I’ll be in touch with a date over the next couple of weeks."

Cho-San Japanese Restaurant
Officers from the Council’s Environmental Health Team have closed down this restaurant at 292 Upper Richmond Road. Officers found evidence of widespread activity of rats and mice at the premises. A live rat was seen by the inspecting officer, quite boldly sitting behind the freezer before making its way into a cavity in the wall through which the waste pipes pass. The rats could have come up through the disused toilet or from the railway embankment which the premises overlooked. Mice droppings were found in the bar area. Rat droppings were extensive in the basement where food was stored. They were also found in the basement customer seating area. The premises did not have a pest control; contract. In addition to rodent pest, the restaurant was not clean and in poor structural condition.

Putney Post Office
Councillors have been asked to explore the possibility of installing a pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of new Post Office in Upper Richmond Road. This road is under the control of Transport for London, who is notoriously reluctant to install crossings; however that will not prevent us from lobbying on behalf of the users of the Post Office. In the meantime, pedestrians are recommended to use the crossings at Putney High Street and opposite Sainsbury’s.

Council Tax
The average council tax bill in Wandsworth will still be the lowest in the country following the council’s decision to freeze its own share of the bill. The council’s levy on local taxpayers remains unchanged, but average bills will increase by 22 pence a week from April – an overall rise of 3.1 per cent. This is because the council has to pass on increases from other public organisations whose funding makes up part of the bill. This includes the cost of disposing of refuse at the Western Riverside Waste Authority. This represents only the second increase in ten years while many other household costs during this time have virtually doubled. The council has also announced a major re-organisation of services which will see the number of departments and directors reduced from six to four – reinforcing its position as one of the leanest councils in London. The council must make £100m in savings over the next five years.

Forthcoming events

* The Head of the River Race takes places this Saturday, 23 March at 12.45pm. Details at www.horr.co.uk/

* Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race takes place on Easter Sunday, 31 March at 4.30pm. See www.theboatrace.org and www.wandsworth.gov.uk/putney

* Easter Holiday Fun – details of sports activities for 3 to 13 years olds at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/holidayfun

Please let us know if there’s an issue you’d like us to take up.

You can subscribe or unsubscribe to the circulation list for Thamesfield councillors' email updates by emailing rtorrington@wandsworth.gov.uk and typing subscribe or unsubscribe into the subject.

Best wishes
Cllrs Jim Maddan, Mike Ryder and Rosemary Torrington
Thamesfield ward

March 21, 2013