Save Lea Marshes

Sports Council England Declare a Resounding NO to Hackney Marshes Proposals!

Posted on 29 April 2013 by Caroline Day

Below is the text of the letter that Sports England sent to Hackney Council on 11 April 2013 declaring their united opposition to the Council’s proposals for Hackney Marshes:

3rd Floor, Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London WC1B 4SE

E info@sportengland.org www.sportengland.org

Creating a sporting habit for life

Mr I Holland

Head of Leisure & Green Spaces

London Borough of Hackney

Hackney Service Centre

1 Hillman Street

London E8 1DY

Dear Ian,

Hackney Marshes – Public Consultation

Thank-you for your letter and opportunity to respond to the Council on this important public consultation.

Having considered the contents of your letter and the summary of the Council’s proposals, Sport England and the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) are strongly opposed to the plans to hold major events on Hackney Marshes.

Sport England, The Football Association (FA), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) have jointly invested significant amounts of public funding in the re-development of Hackney Marshes to ensure it continues as a key
sporting site for pitch sports in London. The annual holding of major events is considered a huge risk to the quality and sustainability of the sports pitches and the clubs that use the facilities on a regular basis, threatening the increases in participation that we are all trying
to deliver.

The proposals to hold regular major events on Hackney Marshes were not part of your strategic plans (business and sports development) that Sport England and the NGBs took
into consideration with our investment into the site and we consider the new plans are a
significant risk to the delivery of community sports participation. Access and use of the pitches during the sporting seasons and the recovery periods for the pitches are of particular concern.

We have set out a sport-by sport summary of the objections to the Council’s proposals and the NGB views are fully supported by Sport England:-

Football

The Football Association (The FA) is strongly opposed to any large scale public events on the Hackney Marshes. The FA has indicated both verbally and in writing (since April 2010) that having provided significant investment on the Marshes, both The FA and Football
Foundation (FF) would be opposed to any event(s) that would place the integrity of the pitches at risk.

Unfortunately last year’s festival resulted in significant damage to pitches which in turn, has led to severe disruption for those seeking to enjoy facilities on the Marshes. In total 23 pitches were out of use at the start of the season (which had to be delayed) displacing
teams to Mabley Green, Daubeney Fields and Hackney Downs Fields. Currently, 9 pitches are out of use and will remain closed for the remainder of this season. This situation has resulted in new teams being turned away by the local leagues due to a lack
of available pitches.

This experience has led The FA and The Football Foundation to the conclusion that similar events on the site would significantly harm the wider sporting ambitions on the site. Given that damage to pitches was irreparable in the short-term following just one event, it must be assumed that regular large scale events would cause continuous extensive damage. This, coupled with the lack of any effective measures available to the Council to adequately protect the pitches places the sporting legacy of the site at significant risk.

Cricket

The ECB is deeply concerned with the plans for future concerts on Hackney Marshes and the impact it will have on cricket at the site. It will have a significant impact on the users if the facilities are out of use for a number of weeks each year for hosting events and the
subsequent reinstatement works. There are no other local facilities that can meet the displaced users as there is currently a large under provision of cricket facilities in the area.

There is no indication as to the size or scale of the proposed events but the potential impact to Cricket, which is a summer sport, stands the most risk of being affected. The development of the Last Man Stands league which is played on the three artificial pitches
on the site and the grass wicket for midweek and Saturday/Sunday play would be severely compromised.

The BBC Radio 1 event in 2012 had a huge impact on the site. The three artificial cricket pitches were destroyed and had to be re-instated by Council at a cost in the region of £30,000. More importantly, no cricket was possible on the site for 6 weeks and the fine turf outfield was compromised by the number of trodden in bottle tops that remained after the clean-up. In excess of 30 games of cricket were lost.

Rugby Union

The RFU has worked in partnership with LB Hackney for the last five years to support the development of a sustainable rugby union club and playing programme on Hackney Marshes.

The delivery of the Radio One event has demonstrated a real risk to the continued sustainability of rugby union on the Marshes and any future proposals are strongly resisted by both Old Streetonians RFC and the RFU.

In 2010 a grant of £99,500 was awarded to assist with the development of the Hackney Marshes Centre. The club was successfully relocated from the East Marsh following
development linked to the 2012 Olympic Games. Old Streetonians RFC now play on three pitches at the main Hackney Marshes site. Old Streetonians have entered into a Community Use Agreement for the site which clearly articulates the need for pitch use. As
a result of facility investment, club membership continues to grow. The club is also working to support the development of Shoreditch Sharks who provide a local youth rugby programme with the ultimate aim of them locating onto the same site and providing
the club with a youth and junior section.

The Hackney Marshes site is also utilised by Millwall RFC who access pitches for matches when they experience over capacity at their existing Millwall Park and Victoria Park sites.

With the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in 2015 the RFU is committed to strengthening its member clubs and developing rugby in the local communities that surround them. Clubs
such as Old Streetonians are crucial to this vision.

The RFU has firm evidence from experiences in 2012 that cause concern. On 13 June 2012 the Radio One event construction commenced resulting in large scale damage to the pitches. With the club’s season commencing on 1st September, they were forced to
play all matches away from home until 13 October. All three pitches were not open for use until the 11 November. The potential loss of a third of the rugby season has the potential to cause a terminal effect to the club’s sustainability and neutralise the strong partnerships
and improved facilities that have been delivered to date.

The RFU wants to maximise the potential of the site with the forthcoming Rugby World Cup to grow the game in the local community and seeks a resolution that allows these
strong foundations the chance to grow and develop a true rugby legacy for the next generation. Similar events to that of the Radio One concert threaten the sustainability of rugby union on the Marshes.

I trust that this clearly explains our joint position and we look forward to discussing this in further detail at the next strategic funders meeting on 25 April 2013.

Yours Sincerely,

Charles Johnston

Property Director

Mike Gatting

Managing Director, Cricket Partnerships

Sport England England & Wales Cricket Board

Alex Horne

General Secretary

Steve Grainger

Rugby Development Director

The Football Association

Rugby Football Union

Posted in Hackney Marshes | 1 Comment

Beating of the Bounds – Sunday 5th May!

Posted on 23 April 2013 by Caroline Day

Annual Community Procession around Leyton Marshes

Sunday 5th May 2013

Meet from 12.00 noon for lunch, with willow-stripping and dressing,

at the Hare & Hounds pub, 278 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton E10 7LD

(affordably-priced Sunday roasts, light meals & bar snacks are available. Buses 48, 55, 56, 58.158)

or simply gather for the Community Procession at 2.15pm in the
Princess of Wales car park by Lea Bridge, 146 Lea Bridge Road E5 9RB.

Residents of Leyton, Walthamstow and Clapton will again be celebrating the ancient tradition of Beating the Bounds on Rogation Sunday, which in 2013 falls on 5th May.

Once a year, in many parts of Britain, local residents walk around defined areas of land to re-establish ancient rights of common or simply to mark significant boundaries, such as those of a Parish, Village Green or ancient Manor. Before maps existed, this was done so that children and newcomers could have important local landmarks pointed out to them.

Often this custom takes place during Rogationtide, when prayers used to be offered for the fertility of the land and a good harvest. Stripped willow sticks, sometimes bedecked with flowers and ribbons, are usually carried. In some areas, girls have their fingers pricked and boys are beaten with sticks or thrown into hedges (we don’t do this!) or get turned upside-down to have their heads bumped on boundary markers – ‘to imprint the location on their minds’! (This is done, but only with the child’s and carer’s permission).

Modern maps show boundaries, but seldom mark the thousands of Common Lands in Britain which survive from the Middle Ages or before. Even when they do, all too often our precious open spaces suffer encroachment or get built upon. This is a growing threat in Outer London. By carrying on this ancient tradition we hope to encourage people to become more aware of and to care for our ancient green spaces and Lammas Lands.

The perambulation in the afternoon will be along the southern boundary of the Leyton Lammas Lands as they were in 1837, when Queen Victoria came to the throne, before the railway line and the filter beds were built on the marshes. Boundsmen will follow the River Lea, crossing the railway line to pick up the Dagenham Brook which marked the boundary of the original Leyton Levels. The distance is about two miles and the route is not difficult, but does involve several sets of steps so it is unsuitable for heavy baby-buggies, the mobility-impaired or wheelchair users.

Fitter, intrepid and determined Boundsmen may also choose to continue along the more demanding route around the northern boundary of Leyton Marsh in the early evening, after a refreshment break at the Waterworks Visitors’ Centre or the Hare & Hounds.

Please wear stout, sensible footwear and suitable clothing. Please bring water to drink if the weather is warm. Children and well-behaved dogs are very welcome! (Please note that dogs, except guide dogs by arrangement, are not allowed inside the Hare & Hounds as there are two pub cats!)

More information: www.lammaslands.co.uk

For information about the Beating the Bounds walk tel: 0790 415 9398

THIS EVENT IS COMPLETELY FREE!

Posted in Leyton Marshes | Comments Off

Community say ‘NO’ to commercial plans for Hackney Marshes

Posted on 19 April 2013 by Caroline Day

Below are some images of Birbeck Orient FC supporting the campaign to save Hackney Marshes at their warm-up on Sunday! Let’s keep Hackney Marshes, open, green and the home of grassroots football!

Pictures of the protest by SLM and other locals at the Hackney Marshes User centre at the Council drop in on Wednesday can be found on the Images page.

A report of the event can be found on our Press Release page.

Posted in Hackney Marshes, Lea Marshes | Comments Off

Our Chance to Save Hackney Marshes!

Posted on 13 April 2013 by Caroline Day

We’re asking EVERYONE who can to attend the ‘drop in’ session organised by Hackney Council to liaise with people about their application to the planning inspectorate to host 3 major events on Hackney Marshes every summer.

Date: Wednesday 17th April

Venue: Hackney Marshes User Centre

Time: 6PM

The drop-in runs from 4-8pm but we will be attending as a united presence at 6pm to present the online petition against the proposals, which has already attracted more than 750 signatures, as well as supplementary paper petitions.

We will have T-shirts on sale on the night in aid of the campaign for £10.

Posted in Hackney Marshes | 1 Comment

Council concealed flood risk of the Marsh Lane Bridge

Posted on 9 April 2013 by Charlie Charman

The London Borough of Waltham Forest’s oversized and unnecessary replacement bridge over the Dagenham Brook will increase flood risk to nearby properties, and needs additional expensive and environmentally damaging mitigation works – a fact concealed from the public during the planning consultation, and not mentioned by Officers and Councillors during the planning committee meeting that approved the development on 26 March.

There was no prior public consultation on the Council’s plans before it submitted a planning application to itself, and the nearest residential properties – Manor Lodge and Marsh Lane Cottage – were not notified of the application despite lying in the flood zone affected by the bridge development.

The new bridge, which LBWF have admitted will cost at least £250,0000, was stated in the planning application to be providing a cosmetic ‘gateway’ into Marsh Lane Fields – which they have insisted on renaming ‘Leyton Jubilee Park’ – and to make the park entrance ‘more inviting to the general public’. However it will be a basic structure of tarmac roadway and pavements and only one of five access points to the park.

The Council’s extravagant plans to replace the present perfectly functional and recently constructed separate vehicle and foot bridges with a wider, higher structure and massive approach ramp in the Dagenham Brook flood zone required the involvement of the Environment Agency.

Increased risk to nearby properties was identified and as a consequence, hundreds of tonnes of soil will need to be dug up in the vicinity to compensate for loss of flood storage due to the bulk of the bridge structure. Trees may need to be felled, contaminated material disturbed and the wildlife corridor and Site of Importance for Nature Conservation along the brook will suffer further damage.

Waltham Forest’s obsession with this bridge, despite the expense, complexity and flood risk, can only confirm the suspected hidden agenda of easing access for large vehicles and increased traffic so giant events can be staged, damaging development of the park facilitated and ultimately fully opening Marsh Lane to through traffic.

The disturbing and potentially unlawful aspect is that these flood storage mitigation works were omitted from the main planning application during the public consultation period and only became apparent in the Planning Officer’s report published days before the decision. Though the bridge construction can’t begin until these excavation works are completed, no information has been provided on how or where they will take place.

The public and neighbours cannot comment on matters of which they are unaware. So they were deprived of their right to have their comments on this important aspect of the project, and its impacts on amenity and the environment recorded and brought to the Committee’s attention.

At the Planning Committee meeting, one of the speakers objecting to the proposal tried to raise the matter of key documents and information being withheld until after the close of the consultation period – denying the public the opportunity to make informed comments and effectively concealing the full impact of the development.

Ian Ansell of LBWF’s Development Control dodged this by claiming statutory duties had been complied with (by displaying a single site notice and sending letters to two properties, neither of them directly affected by the bridge) – ignoring the lack of full and accurate documentation during the consultation period and concealment of the flood impacts and associated works.

It is to the credit of one member of the planning committee that he took up this issue of consultation, pointing out that there had been no attempt to inform or consult with local community groups about the bridge plan prior to submitting the planning application, and voted against.

The application should never have come before the Committee with such poor consultation, inadequate information and misrepresentation as a ‘relatively minor proposal’ whe it clearly has significant effects on flood risk.

In addition to the mystery surrounding the flood capacity excavations, other unanswered questions are how much additional public money will be squandered on these works and how access to the houses on Marsh Lane and allotments will be maintained if protracted bridge works take place.

This is a disgraceful example of cavalier behaviour and irresponsibility by Waltham Forest in managing its own planning applications where public trust depends on transparency, probity and good communications.

Posted in Marsh Lane Fields | Tagged bridge, Dagenham Brook, Deceit, EA, Flood risk, planning committee, Waltham Forest Council | 1 Comment

LVRPA announce closure of golf course, which will be turned into private campsite!

Posted on 9 April 2013 by Caroline Day

The Lea Valley Regional Park Authority have made the decision to close the golf-course they had claimed previously would only be ‘temporarily’ shut for use as a campsite during the Olympics and would open again in spring 2013. This claim was repeated by the Chief Executive of the LVRPA, Shaun Dawson, to councillors Ian Rathbone and Barry Buitekant when he met with them in 2012 to discuss community concerns about the use of LVRPA land for commercial use and development during the Olympics. It was reiterated by the Park Authority’s Green Space Manager to members of the public.

The Authority claim that a private campsite, which will be closed to the public and by virtue of use will involve the driving of many vehicles on to the land, will be a “more appropriate use of Metropolitan Open Land.” This claim can be found in the minutes of the Executive Meeting that was held on 21/03/13.

Save Lea Marshes believe the campsite proposal is closely linked to the plans by Hackney Council to make the adjacent Hackney Marshes a commercial events space for 3 private mega events every summer.

We are asking everyone to sign the petition that we have against the Hackney Marshes plans, attend the ‘drop in session’ about the plans at Hackney Marshes User Centre on Wednesday 17th April at 6pm and write to Shaun Dawson (sdawson@leevalleypark.org.uk) with their views about the closing of the golf course.

A week ago the LVRPA website promised the golf course would be reopening

Posted in Hackney Marshes, Lea Marshes | Tagged campsite, golf course, LVRPA, MOL, Petition | Comments Off

Announcement of New Marsh Lane Fields Bridge

Posted on 8 April 2013 by Caroline Day

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Snap Up Your Limited Edition Campaign T-shirt!

Posted on 28 March 2013 by Caroline Day

There are just a few of our limited edition campaign T-shirt left (available in Medium only) so hurry and get yours now!

The T-shirts are £10 and all profits go to the Save Lea Marshes campaign.

If you get in contact with us in the next week, we are also willing to do a one-off custom order for other sizes. The unisex sizes available are: S, M, L, XL and XXL. The measurements are as follows, to fit chest:

S – 34/36″ M – 38/40″ L – 42/44″ XL – 46/48″ 2XL – 50/52″

To order yours, contact: saveleytonmarsh@hotmail.co.uk with the size you require.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off

Serious shortcomings in Marsh Lane Bridge Consultation and Plan

Posted on 26 March 2013 by Caroline Day

The planning officers report relating to the proposal for demolition of two sound bridges and replacement by one heavy goods bridge at Marsh Lane Fields can be found here: http://saveleytonmarsh.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/26032013-planning-committee-item-49-marsh-lane-bridge.pdf

There are many issues with this scheme and the release of key information related to the scheme to the public.

There appear to be numerous documents which were not put online and 5 of which were submitted after the formal expiry date for consultation submissions -.

“A3.08/SS/05 Rev A received on 20th February 2013, A3.08/SS/06-1 Rev B and A.3.08/SS-6-02 Rev B received on 27th February 2013, A3.08/SS/06-01 Rev C received on 5th March 2013 and A3.08/SS/04-1 and A3.08/SS/04 Rev B received on 11th March 2013.”

This made it very difficult to submit an informed consultation response in the statutory period since it is not clear what exactly is being proposed or included in the application, there seem to have been significant late alterations:

The road carriageway width has suddenly increased by 20% from 3m in the original application to :

“10.18 The bridge would have a main vehicular carriageway of approximately 3.65m”

The approach slope which was stated in the DAS as “The western approach to the bridge will have a 1:12 gradient in order to minimise its impact on the flood plain” – is now reported in the officers report as “In terms of disabled access, the gradient of the western access is 1 in 20 and the eastern access would be 1 in 21, which would comply with the Local Planning Authority’s access standards.”

So what is the gradient going to be? We don’t know because no plan of the approach slopes were submitted. It seems to be a choice of non-compliance with access standards due to too steep a slope, or a shallow slope which increases flood risk. This is a fundamental problem with the proposal.

Most significantly, there is project creep with the bridge replacement necessitating widening the brook and replanting the banks – yet more disruption and destruction of the existing SINC habitat. The application description is simply “Replacement of existing vehicle and pedestrian bridges with single bridge” which it now appears is misleading.

Not only is money being wasted on an unnecessary replacement bridge that will encourage heavier vehicles through Marsh Lane, it is being done in a way that increases flood risk and requires reengineering Dagenham Brook, adding further cost and with unpredictable environmental effect.

“10.12 it is noted that there are future plans to reduce local flood risk by widening Dagenham Brook where it passes through the Park; this will significantly improve the flow capacity of the Brook which in turn will reduce any risk of flooding.”

Where are these ‘future plans’?, they were not mentioned in the original planning submission. in fact it said in s11.4 “The Environment Agency advised that that there are no plans to widen the channel or any other plans which would affect the proposed bridge.”

If these future plans are required to mitigate the increased flood risk arising as a direct consequence the bridge they should have been clearly included upfront as part of the bridge proposal.

“The proposed brook widening scheme will also remove the Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed along the banks which will enhance the wildlife and ecology in the Brook

10.16 Further to this, the proposed plans indicate that there would be proposed riverside enhancement including planting up and down stream of the proposed new bridge crossing at Marsh Lane.”

It states in the FRA that there are no invasive species near the bridge – this must be another case of selectively playing the invasive species card where convenient.

The plans available during the statutory consultation period did not indicate any ‘proposed riverside enhancement’.

Furthermore attempting to widen the brook in the vicinity of Marsh Lane raises a number of issues – there are large trees growing on the banks, and the steep east bank is close to property boundaries and cannot be widened on that side. The FRA mentioned ‘reprofiling the west bank upstream of the bridge’ but there is a row of large trees within 3m of the edge of the brook and it’s difficult to see how this can be achieved. Photo

“10.10 The Dagenham Brook is in a flood zone 3 area and care has to be taken to ensure that the design of the footbridge does not negatively
impact on this zone and nearby property.

10.11 In terms of flood risk, the scheme has been designed in consultation with the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency have reviewed
the proposals and have not raised an objection subject to the imposition of a condition controlling that prior to the commencement of
the development a scheme to provide an acceptable flood storage compensation scheme on a level for level and volume for volume basis at the site has been agreed. Subject to the inclusion of a suitable condition, it is considered that adequate regard has been afforded to flood risk.”

Conditions

“3. The development hereby permitted shall not be commenced until such time as a scheme to provide an acceptable flood storage
compensation scheme on a level for level and volume for volume basis at the site has been submitted to and approved in writing by
the Local Planning Authority.

The fluvial flood storage compensation area shall be constructed prior to the construction or installation of any approach embankments for the new bridge.”

So for all intents and purposes, this appears to be an objection by the EA since they are clearly saying the bridge by itself is not acceptable on flood risk grounds.

Posted in Marsh Lane Fields | Comments Off

Update on Marsh Lane Fields Bridge Proposals

Posted on 23 March 2013 by Caroline Day

By Katy Andrews

I expect everyone knows by now that a planning application is due to be dealt with by LBWF Planning Committee on Tues evening, 26.3.13, that would entail the removal of a “safe routes to school” dedicated cycle/pedestrian bridge and a nearby vehicular access bridge into Marsh Lane Fields across the Dagenham Brook (aka Leyton Level Brook).

The fields are the only part of the Leyton Marshes Lammas Lands that is not (bizarrely) within the Lee Valley Regional Park. WF Council have recently tried to rename the Fields as a “Jubilee Park” – there has been no consultation at all about this. Now they want to turn the area into an events venue!

Marsh Lane is part of a designated cycle route between Leyton (and Wanstead) and Hackney Marshes & the Hackney Cut towpath on the Lea Navigation. West of the Dagenham Brook bridge, the Lane is an unadopted BOAT, and continues over a railway footbridge and through the golf course northwards on a recognised Right of Way. To the south-west it follows the Old River Lea to the Friends Bridge (where it joins the Sustrans route) & across the river to Hackney Marshes.

Permission is being sought by Borough officers, apparently under intense political pressure from certain councillors, to replace the two bridges over the Dagenham Brook by a wide road-bridge – intended to be used by heavy lorries “for events.”

A small footpath beyond, to the north and west of the new road-bridge, would be widened where it joins the Marsh Lane BOAT, with significant loss of vegetation, to provide a large vehicular turning point. (This was not mentioned in the officer’s report to councillors, which is all they are likely to know of the application.)

There has been no consultation with Marsh users, cyclists or local schools & residents about these proposals.

I know the weather is not the kindest, but it would be very helpful to have a significant turnout of local people for the planning committee meeting.

We will have a short demo from 7.10pm on the Town Hall steps before the meeting.

Local residents in the 1980s and 90s fought for 11 years to stop just such a road being built across the Marshes to link Church Rd to the Freight Road (“Orient Way”).

Please help to try to stop it again this Tuesday!

Hoping to see lots of people at the WF Town Hall in Forest Road E17 on Tuesday evening!