Wandsworth Park 'Land Grab' Proposal Active Again

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Residents applying to convert riverside space into private gardens


Section of river walk in question - image ©Friends of Wandsworth Park

A controversial proposal to convert part of Wandsworth Park into private gardens is coming under consideration again after problems with the original application were resolved.

Residents of Blade Mews and Deodar Road have applied to Wandsworth Council to get a change of use of plot of land in the north western corner of the park next to the river. They argue that it has become 'a haven for undesirable activities' and already needs to be locked to prevent public access.

A new planning notice was placed on the site on 17 July and residents who had previously made comments have been contacted and asked if they wanted to make further submissions. Although Wandsworth Council have not confirmed this, it is understood that previous comments made concerning this application will still be taken into consideration. The new deadline for submitting comments is 7 August. You can make a submission on the Council's planning portal. The area appears to have been locked up since the posting of the notice.

The application is to convert an area of 176 sqm next to 105-115 Deodar Road from Class D2 (assembly and leisure) to Class C3 (dwelling house) which would allow the applicants to convert it into a communal private garden should Wandsworth Council grant them a lease.

It is understood that the Council made a decision to lease out this section of the park over a year ago. Even if the application is successful the lease would have to be advertised and go to the highest bidder which might not necessarily be the applicants.

The Friends of Wandsworth Park had previously been in contact with the Council about using the site for an education centre or as a planting area. They say they were not informed about the original application to convert the site and only learned of the plan when they read about it on the Putney forum.

In their letter of objection to the proposal they say they are strongly opposed to the application and that they do not believe public spaces should be disposed of.

They write, "The antisocial behaviour that appears to be the impetus for this Application is but a microcosm of the antisocial behaviour present throughout the entire Park. This needs to be properly addressed and disposing of a piece of Park for this reason seems unjustified and unreasonable."

In addition they point out that this area is the start of a planned extension of the Thames Path.


Proposed area to be annexed for private use - application 2017/2707


An application has been made to have the site designated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) which will delay the sale or leasing of the land should the Council decide to proceed. This is to allow the ACV applicant time to make a bid.

When we contacted the architect who have made the application to annex the area we did not receive a response.

July 21, 2017