WISA is holding an open meeting on Thursday, 24th September at Wimbledon Community Centre,
28 St George’s Road, Wimbledon SW19 4DP, to discuss the latest proposals for Merton’s new borough plan, aka the local development framework (LDF). The meeting will start at 7.45 p.m. or at the conclusion of the preceding WISA EGM.
All fans are very welcome, whether or not you’re a WISA member.
We’ll be joined by two members of Merton’s planning policy team, who will give a brief explanation of the plans, then answer questions.
If you’ve got questions, 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?
Two years ago, the council published a draft document for public consultation and WISA provided model comments for fans to submit to the council. There was a great response: the document just published says it was the biggest response on any single issue, and goes on to say the council supports the provision of a sports stadium within the borough, and the retention of the greyhound stadium site for leisure purposes.
The council are now seeking individual comments on the latest document – the Draft Core Strategy -- and it is vital that as many of us as possible send in a response.
That includes everyone who has already responded at an earlier stage.
So why write in again?
This is likely to be the final chance to respond as individuals. We welcome the support for a stadium within the borough which the new document contains. So now we need to consolidate what’s already been achieved, get the council to strengthen its support for a stadium, and leave no-one in any doubt about the popular feeling for bringing the Dons home.
What can you do?
Come along to the open meeting on Thursday and find out more.
But whether or not you can make it, please respond to the document either by e-mail or by hard copy.
WISA is drafting a model reply which we’ll publish soon. If you can rewrite it to make it a bit more personal, all the better. But if not, just cut and paste it on to your e-mail to the council, or copy it on to the paper questionnaire.
We’ve got until Friday, 16th October to reply. Any replies after that date will not count.
To view the document and to reply, go to:
http://merton-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cs/draftcspre_rep2009
For a hard copy of the Draft Core Strategy document, plus a reply questionnaire, please phone
0208 545 3814. Documents and questionnaires are also available from all Merton libraries and Merton Civic Centre.
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