Lambeth Conservatives

Bungling Labour Lambeth has had to knock back its own planning application for a kids' games area because it was so badly drafted.

The council's planning department turned down an application from Lambeth's housing department to create a multi-use games area (MUGA) on council land in Vale Street, West Norwood.

The application was ruled "invalid" because it lacked even the most basic information and contained a catalogue of cock-ups. Whole sections of the application are incorrect and incomplete and it does not include essential information, such as a traffic management plan.

It is the latest blunder in the long-running saga of the Vale Street MUGA which has been delayed for years because of council red tape. A new location had to be found for the sports and play area after Labour councillors decided to locate dustcarts on the original site last year.

Earlier this year the Labour MP for Dulwich & West Norwood said local kids should visit the Brixton Rec - a 40 minute bus journey - if they wanted to play.

Conservative councillor Suzanne Poole, who has been working with residents to secure a MUGA for local residents, said: "I can't believe the council has made yet another major mistake.

"We have now had betrayal, followed by delays and waste, followed by misguided policy, followed by this latest cock-up.

"Norwood is badly lacking in children’s play areas, yet the Labour administration cannot even submit a planning application that is acceptable to itself."

Labels: Gipsy Hill ward, Labour Lambeth, MUGA, Planning, Play, Suzanne Poole, Vale Street

Dulwich and West Norwood MP Tessa Jowell has provoked controversy with comments over youth facilities in Norwood.

At a meeting with residents on Saturday 9th February, residents and council tenants in West Norwood gave vent to their anger over a lack of youth facilities in the area. A site on Vale Street next to the Vincennes Estate that had been designated for play was has been turned into a dustcart depot by Lambeth Council. Tenants noted that thousands of pounds of equipment had simply been dumped. There are currently no local play facilities.

In response to criticism, the MP pointed to improved facilities at the Brixton Rec – outside her constituency and up to 40 minutes away by bus.

Residents reacted with fury, and said that this was too far away for toddlers, and that teenagers are territorial and want to stay on their own patch.

Cllr Suzanne Poole, who attended the meeting said, "Sadly, the Labour MP has under-estimated the difficulties for families in travelling from Norwood to Brixton. Speaking as a mother of two young children I know residents would like a play area in Norwood itself."

Conservative Group Leader Cllr John Whelan explained the background: "Lambeth Council had been going to site a Games Area on Vale Street, Gipsy Hill, but the new Labour administration, supported by Ms Jowell, instead used the site for dustcarts. This was supposed to be until September 2009 only, but Labour councillors recently voted to allow the dustcart depot's lifespan to be extended: Residents want to know if Ms Jowell will disassociate herself from the Council’s vote."

Conservative councillors want the dustcarts out as soon as possible, and no later than September 2009.

Labels: John Whelan, Play, Suzanne Poole, Tessa Jowell, Vincennes Estate

Another Lambeth cock-up delays games area

“Let Them Play in Brixton”