WISA is holding an open meeting on Wednesday, 4th July at Wimbledon Community Centre, starting at 7.30 p.m., to discuss the latest proposals for Merton’s new borough plan, aka the long-term development framework (LDF). All fans are welcome, whether or not you’re a WISA member.
We’ll be joined by Steve Cardis, Merton's planning policy team leader, together with a colleague from the council’s leisure services department.
The Merton council representatives will give a brief explanation of the plans, then answer questions.
If you’ve got questions for Steve, whether or not you can come along, please e-mail them to: publicity@wisa.org.uk before the meeting.
Why is this meeting important?
The LDF provides a huge opportunity to make long-term provision for a possible return of AFC Wimbledon to Merton. It sets out planning policy in the borough for the next 15 years, and will shape what can be built and should be
protected in Merton. If and when AFC Wimbledon is in a position to consider moving back, a commitment by Merton Council to help us return, which is enshrined within the plan, would be of crucial importance.
What’s the latest state of play?
After two years of public consultations, the council has now published its proposals on strategy and policies, together with a proposals map.
Thanks to all of you who’ve already written to the council asking for the new plan to include sports facilities. The resulting draft suggests that some of this has been taken on board. But it is absolutely crucial that as many of us as possible write in at this latest stage with our comments on the draft. That includes everyone who has already responded at an earlier stage.
We’ve got until 23rd July to reply. But any replies after that date will not count.
What is WISA doing?
WISA will be writing a formal response to the council. But we need as many voices as possible calling for provision for a sports stadium, so we’re urging all of you to write in too. In order to help you make the points which relate to the proposals, we will be posting up a model letter. However, because of the technical nature of the proposals, we’ll wait until we’ve quizzed the council representatives before doing this.
Why is it so important to write in now?
The latest proposals form the basis for the final version of the borough plan. This will be prepared over the next year, then sent to an independent planning inspector, together with all the responses from the public, for approval. So it’s vital to show the inspector just how much feeling there is for a return of our football club to the borough.
Furthermore, the inspector’s report is binding -- so if there’s anything you want to get off your chest, it’s now or never!
The proposals are available online at: www.merton.gov.uk/planning as well as libraries throughout Merton.
For a paper copy, please phone 0208 545 3041 or e-mail policyandinformation team@merton.gov.uk
|
