tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26206442599896303752024-03-14T17:46:45.171+00:00Save Lake Farm (Keep Botwell Common) - "Hands Off Lake Farm"Hand Off Lake Farm - The petition and campaign to save Lake Farm (Botwell Common)Keep Botwell Commonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729246198180291339noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-20139170912306490772013-11-05T11:22:00.000+00:002013-11-05T11:33:52.250+00:00Protestors march on Lake Farm ahead of legal challenge against school build <b>Related articles:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://teamsausage.wordpress.com/2013/11/02/save-lake-farm/" target="_blank">http://teamsausage.wordpress.com/2013/11/02/save-lake-farm/</a></li>
<li><a href="http://winowendyswildlifeworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/save-lake-farm-peaceful-protest-march.html" target="_blank">http://winowendyswildlifeworld.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/save-lake-farm-peaceful-protest-march.html </a>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://teamsausage.wordpress.com/2013/11/02/save-lake-farm/"></a></span>Campaigners descended on Lake Farm Country Park once again, in the
latest protest against the council building a primary school there.<br />
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Local people joined councillors and Hayes and Harlington MP John McDonnell on Saturday morning, as they marched from the Hayes town bandstand in Station Road, Hayes, to the construction site at Botwell Common, off Botwell Lane.<br />
People chanted and carried banners, one of which read "I can't walk my dog in Lidl" - a reference to the council selling off the former Hayes Swimming Pool site in Central Avenue, a brownfield site campaigners had urged the borough to use for a new school, to Lidl.<br />
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The discount supermarket chain is preparing plans for a new store.<br />
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Addressing the crowds, Mr McDonnell outlines concerns that the rest of the park, green belt land, would be turned over for a secondary school.<br />
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He added: "We have to keep slugging it out with them (the council) to try and prevent this development going any further, but also to demonstrate to them that we will not allow them to take the rest of the park. We'll continue to pursue whatever legal actions we can and maintain the pressure on the council."<br />
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Campaigners allege that the council did not undertake an equality impact assessment when drawing up its plans for the school.<br />
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Mr McDonnell, with the Friends of Lake Farm and Labour councillors in Hayes wards have taken legal advice from Irwin Mitchell solicitors, and been advised that they have grounds to challenge the council's decision to proceed with the project. Irwin Mitchell confirmed their involvement, but cannot comment further.<br />
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The new school will accommodate 635 pupils, to help meet a projected growth in pupil numbers in the borough in the coming years, and the council has repeatedly outlined a commitment to meeting the future needs of children in Hillingdon borough when answering critics.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/authors/jack-griffith/">Article by Jack Griffith at GetWestLondon.co.uk</a><br />
<a href="http://teamsausage.wordpress.com/2013/11/02/save-lake-farm/">Photos by Tony James</a></span>Keep Botwell Commonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729246198180291339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-33062413475525699382013-10-29T08:17:00.000+00:002013-10-29T08:21:29.274+00:00Press Release: Battle for Lake Farm Goes to the Courts and Back onto the StreetsThe campaign to prevent the Council building on Lake Farm Country Park in Hayes is moving into the courts and back onto the streets with a further <b>demonstration planned for 2nd November</b>.<br />
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Campaigners and the Friends of Lake Farm are challenging the Council’s decision to build on Lake Farm Country Park because the council has failed to follow the proper procedures laid down in legislation when considering the impact of building on the country park.<br />
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The council is required in law to undertake a full impact assessment including an equalities impact assessment. The Council has breached this procedure by failing to undertake this assessment. Local Labour Councillors and the Friends of Lake Farm took legal advice from Irwin Mitchell solicitors and consider that they have the grounds to challenge the council in the courts. Irwin Mitchell solicitors have been successful in the past in challenging Hillingdon Council for its failure to abide by procedure.<br />
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Local MP, John McDonnell, commented “Members of the local community have expressed their concerns from the outset that the Council has rushed through this decision without proper assessment and consultation. The council has appeared hell bent on forcing through building on our park and just hasn’t done its job properly of assessing the impact of this development. With all the supposed expertise in the council and the amount of council taxpayers’ money spent on consultants to drive this project through you would expect them to do the job properly but it is clearly not the case. I am urging the council to start again and undertake a proper assessment as it is legally obliged to do.”<br />
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Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Peter Curling said “The council didn’t even bother to take the views and needs of the local community into account when they decided to pour concrete on Lake Farm Country Park, which is a much-loved local park within the green belt. The council claimed that there were no alternative sites but they could have easily made use of the old Hayes Pool site, which they have now sold off to a supermarket chain, as well as other brown field sites in the area. This has now led to a position whereby every piece of green open space is a potential building site. The local community need their day in court especially as the council won’t even consult with them”<br />
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<b>In addition to the legal challenge a further demonstration has been called for 12 noon on Saturday 2nd November meeting at the Bandstand in Hayes Town Centre. </b>Residents, local councillors and John McDonnell MP are now fearful that the Council is planning to build on more of the park as it starts developing its plans for secondary school expansion. This demonstration is to call on the Council to halt the current building until the court case is heard and to stop any further attack by the council on the park.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-39799299134851629332013-10-03T10:17:00.001+01:002013-10-03T10:17:42.809+01:00This is what's happening to beautiful Lake Farm Country ParkThese photos were taken at the North-East corner of Lake Farm Country Park this morning, 3rd October 2013.<br />
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Keep Botwell Commonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729246198180291339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-33930744098960103752013-06-19T19:19:00.002+01:002013-06-19T19:19:43.434+01:00Hillingdon Council Rips Out Hedges at Botwell Common/Lake Farm<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="438" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/a2ti_pT5zjo" width="580"></iframe>
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Hillingdon Council has ripped out the historic hedge that was the border between Lake Farm Country Park and Botwell Common. This act of appalling environmental vandalism has destroyed the habitat of the local birds just at nesting time contrary to the legislation protecting these habitats at this time of the year. <br />
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submitted by <b>John</b> on 18 Jun 2013 at <b>18:15</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-31799410344022786732013-05-02T11:49:00.000+01:002013-05-02T11:49:18.035+01:00Pickles gives Hayes school tick of approval<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-news/local-uxbridge-news/2013/05/02/">May 2 2013</a> By Carl Gavaghan </span><br /><br />THE government has given the go ahead for a much-opposed new primary school in Hayes. <br /><br />The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, has said the council’s proposal for Lake Farm School in Lake Farm Country park, off Botwell Lane is in line with national policy and should be determined locally. <br /><br />The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced last month that he would not intervene in the borough’s plans to build a school on the three hectares of green belt land. <br /><br />Mr Johnson has been persuaded that the necessary ‘very special circumstances’ – the urgent need to provide extra primary school places – outweighs the loss of green belt. <br /><br />The council examined 26 possible alternatives before concluding that the Lake Farm site was the only viable option. <br /><br />Leader of the Council, Councillor Ray Puddifoot, said: <br /><br />“It is the policy of this administration that every child in Hillingdon will have a place at a local school when they reach primary school age. I am pleased that both the Secretary of State and the Mayor of London agree with our policy and that this is the only suitable site in the area. <br /><br />“Any other decision or cause for delay would have been a disgraceful betrayal of the children of that area of Hayes.” <br /><br />The school, which the council wants open by 2015, will accommodate 630 children.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-26709474622087747632013-04-26T16:35:00.001+01:002013-04-26T16:45:32.127+01:00!! Urgent Petition by 30th April !!Dear Friends<br />
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I am emailing with further developments with regard to the building of a school on Lake Farm.<br />
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As you are aware Hillingdon Council forced through its Planning Committee plans to build a primary school on Lake Farm Country Park set in the green belt.<br />
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This was then passed on to the Mayor for London for his consideration. Sadly Boris Johnson, the Mayor for London gave the London Borough of Hillingdon the go ahead. <br />
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The issue for us now is that even with full planning permission the council cannot legally build on Lake Farm because of the Section 106 agreement it entered into with Stockley Park over the development of the "Trident" site. This was raised at the planning meeting but the legal officer dismissed this as not relevant to the application in front of the committee.<br />
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This has resulted in the council employing a QC for legal advice. The advice the council has been given is to either seek the permission of the other party to the agreement (i.e. Stockley Park) or if they wish to proceed without that permission, they can advertise an appropriation of open land for development and then after considering any objections they can disregard any legal agreement.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am urging residents to sign the petition of objection or to write to the council with their individual letters of objection.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13588932/Keep%20Botwell%20Common/Petition%20-%20Appropriation.pdf" target="_blank"><b>Click here to download the petition of objection</b></a></span><br />
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We do not have much time as the closing date for objections is 30th April.<br />
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Please sign the petition, encourage your friends, neighbours and members of your organisation to sign it and return it to my office by 30th April.<br />
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<b>John McDonnell MP<br />
Constituency Office<br />
Pump Lane<br />
Hayes<br />
Middlesex<br />
UB3 3NB</b><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-68165433706637339362013-04-24T12:50:00.000+01:002013-04-24T12:50:26.044+01:00Boris's approval is a 'disgraceful betrayal' says Labour MP <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-news/local-uxbridge-news/2013/04/24/">Apr 24 2013</a> by Jack Griffith, <a href="http://beta.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/">Uxbridge Gazette</a> </span><br /><br />HILLINGDON Council has taken a major step towards building its much-opposed primary school at Lake Farm Country Park, after the Mayor of London gave the project his backing. <br /><br />Boris Johnson announced last week that he would not intervene in the borough’s plans to build a school on three hectares of green belt land, at the eastern end of Lake Farm Country park, off Botwell Lane, Hayes. <br /><br />Mr Johnson has been persuaded that the necessary ‘very special circumstances’ – the urgent need to provide extra primary school places – outweighs the loss of green belt. <br /><br />In his report, he states the search for alternative sites, 26 were considered in total, was ‘robust’. <br /> <br /> The council approved the proposals during a stormy meeting in March, when councillors were heckled by a crowd of protestors. <br /><br />The following week, Hayes and Harlington Labour MP John McDonnell took campaigners to City Hall to deliver letters to the mayor, urging him to use his powers and overturn the decision. <br /><br />Mr Johnson’s approval has infuriated Mr McDonnell, who called it a ‘disgraceful betrayal of our local community.’ <br /><br />The progress of the development is now solely down to the Secretary of State, who also has to consider the application. His decision is imminent. <br /><br />Councillor Ray Puddifoot, the leader of the council, said: “We are extremely pleased that the Mayor of London has recognised the importance of a good start in life for the children of Hayes and supported the building of a new school at Lake Farm. <br /><br />“Opponents of the scheme have been given every opportunity to come up with an alternative site, but nothing feasible has materialised so we need to press ahead with the agreed proposal.” <br /><br />The school, which the council wants open by 2015, will accommodate 630 children. <br /><br />One final hurdle, an agreement with the developer of Stockley Park from 2000, under which cash was given for the maintaining of Lake Farm as a ‘public open space’, should be jumped soon, using planning law to appropriate the land.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-39966156447491439072013-04-16T18:54:00.004+01:002013-04-16T18:54:47.146+01:00Meeting - Saturday 20th AprilDear Friend,<br />
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<b>Re: Lake Farm Country Park </b><br />
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As you are aware Hillingdon Council forced through its Planning Committee plans to build a primary school on Lake Farm Country Park set in the green belt.<br />
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This was then passed on to the Mayor for London for his consideration.<br />
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I am writing to invite you to a meeting in order for me to update you on recent developments. This will take place on <b>Saturday 20th April at 1pm in Botwell Social Centre</b>, Botwell Lane, Hayes (between Botwell School and Botwell Church)<br />
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Please accept my apologies for the short notice but I have only just been made aware of the current situation with regard to this application.<br />
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I hope you can attend this meeting and I look forward to seeing you there.<br />
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Yours sincerely<br />
<b>John
McDonnell MP</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-20076737707277389572013-03-12T14:37:00.002+00:002013-03-12T14:39:55.735+00:00Hayes campaigners take Green Belt fight to Boris<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="articleDateTime"><span class="articleAuthor"><a href="http://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/news/localnews/biog/40968">By Jack White</a> </span>2:00pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in Hillingdon Times <a href="http://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/news/localnews/">Local News</a></span> </span><br />
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PEOPLE in Hayes are taking their fight to stop the council building a school on a Green Belt country park to City Hall today.<br />
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Hillingdon Council last week forced through a planning application to
build a primary school for 630 pupils on Lake Farm Country Park in
Botwell Common Road. The decision was met with jeers from the public
gallery.<br />
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Mayor Boris Johnson may call in the plan for further scrutiny as it is on Green Belt land.<br />
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Save Lake Farm (Keep Botwell Common) campaigners hope Mr Johnson will
declare the Lake Farm plans invalid under rules on Green Belt
development.<br />
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John McDonnell, the Hayes MP, said: “We are calling on the mayor to
live up to his promises to protect the Green Belt in London. He has
already expressed his concerns about councils using the excuse of a
shortage of school places to build on the Green Belt and Hillingdon is
exactly this type of case.”<br />
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The campaign has the support of Len Duvall, Labour leader in the
London Assembly, as well as Greater London Authority members Nicki
Gavron and Onkar Sahota.<br />
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Alternatives to the new school have been proposed. Rosedale Primary
School has offered to expand to meet growing demand for school places,
while Nanaksar Primary School, which is due to open in September, has
also said it is willing to expand to accommodate extra pupils.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-19412682841300823622013-03-07T14:35:00.000+00:002013-03-07T14:35:38.232+00:00Please Write and Join Us at City Hall on TuesdayDear All,<br /><br />As you are aware the London Borough of Hillingdon planning committee voted to approve the application for a school to be built on Lake Farm Country Park.<br /><br />We now need to urge Boris Johnson, Mayor for London to intervene and exercise his powers to reject this planning application.<br /><br />We need to request that he asserts pressure on Hillingdon Council to look more effectively at the alternatives available to meet the need for pupil places in our area without building upon such a sensitive area of green belt and open space, which is cherished by local residents.<br /><br /><b><a href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/13588932/Keep%20Botwell%20Common/Boris%20Johnson%20%282%29.doc" target="_blank">Click here</a> to download a letter for you to use should you wish to; just sign it and send it directly to Boris.</b><br /><br /><b>In addition, I have arranged for us to meet GLA members at City Hall. This will take place on Tuesday 12th March at 1pm. I am emailing to invite you to join us on Tuesday to voice our objection.</b><br /><br />Thank you for your continuing support and I hope to see you on Tuesday<br /><br />Best wishes<br /><br /><b>John</b><br />McDonnell MPUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-81939835150733157402013-03-06T10:28:00.000+00:002013-03-07T10:30:28.989+00:00Council Forces Through Plans to Build on Lake Farm and Botwell CommonLast night the Council convened a special Planning Committee at short notice to force through its plans to build on Lake Farm Country Park and Botwell Common. The Planning meeting degenerated into near chaos as information contained in the Council’s reports recommending the development was comprehensively challenged by local residents and local Labour councillors.<br />
<br />
The Councillors heard that there was no need for a new school to be built on this green belt land as pupil numbers could be catered for in the new Guru Nanak Free School to be opened later this year in the same ward. In addition a Governor from the new Rosedale Primary School repeated the Governors’ and School Headteacher’s offer to expand this school by a further form to assist in preventing the need to build on the green belt. It was revealed atht the old Hayes Swimming Pool site could also accomodate a new 2 form of entry school, thus avoiding the need to build on Lake Farm and Botwell Common.<br />
<br />
All this was rejected by the Conservative councillors on the committee, not one of whom lives in the Hayes area. The campaign against this disastrous destruction of our green belt is now moving on to lobby Boris Johnson to call this planning application in for him to determine as it flies in the face of his policies to protect the green belt.<br />
<br />
I will be joining local residents at 1pm at City Hall next Tuesday to deliver our letters to him urging him to intervene to save our park from these local vandal Conservative councillors.<br />
<br />
<b>Come and join on Tuesday. </b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Quoted from: <a href="http://www.john-mcdonnell.net/news/article/council-forces-through-plans-to-build-on-lake-farm-and-botwell-common/2013/03" target="_blank">www.john-mcdonnell.net</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-28950355455505657762013-03-05T10:15:00.000+00:002013-03-05T10:15:15.715+00:00URGENT - Planning Application & ProtestDear All,<br /><br />Further to my email last week, I am contacting you to remind you that the application to build a school on Lake Farm Country Park is going before the planning committee tonight at 7pm.<br /><br /><b>We are meeting outside the Civic Centre at 6.15pm to protest against this proposal</b> and then will go to the council chamber where the meeting is being held. Five people can speak for 5 minutes each about the petitions we submitted as well as the local councillors.<br /><br />The planning meeting is open to the public so please join us tonight and support those who will be speaking on behalf of our community.<br /><br />I hope to see you tonight<br /><br />Best wishes<br />John McDonnell MPUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-45138794120429672942013-02-27T18:52:00.001+00:002013-02-27T18:52:24.704+00:00Urgent Meeting - Lake Farm Planning HearingDear Friend,<br /><br /><b>Lake Farm Planning Hearing - 5th March at 7pm Civic Centre, Uxbridge</b><br /><br />You may be aware that a date has been set for the planning committee to hear the planning application to build a primary school on Lake Farm and Botwell Common. <br /><br />This will take place on Tuesday 5th March at 7pm in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.<br /><br />I am therefore convening an urgent meeting to discuss the process and arrangements for the hearing. <br /><br />This will take place on <b>Saturday 2nd March at 11am in Botwell Social Centre, Botwell Lane, Hayes</b> (between Botwell School and Botwell Church)<br /><br />Please accept my apologies for the short notice; however I was only informed this week that it was going before the committee.<br /><br />I do hope that you will be able to support us in this campaign.<br /><br />Please tell your friends and neighbours to come along to this meeting on 2nd March; I look forward to seeing you then.<br /><br />Yours sincerely<br /><b>John McDonnell MP<br />Member of Parliament for Hayes & Harlington</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-73595166701764844672013-02-22T16:23:00.000+00:002013-02-22T16:33:08.238+00:00Made in Hayes Updated Calendar<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></span>Dear All, <br />
<br /> Please <a href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/13588932/Hayes%20Carnival/Made%20In%20Hayes%20Calendar.130215-1.ppsx">click here</a> for the latest version of the online “Made in Hayes” calendar. Please pass this on to your members, neighbours and friends. Feel free to post it on to your website as well. <br /><br />
If you wish for your events to be publicised, then please send me the details and a brief outline of the event. As soon as we receive it we will update the calendar and send it out to our database. It will also be available on the <a href="http://www.hayescarnival.org/">Hayes Carnival</a> and <a href="http://www.savelakefarm.org.uk/">Save Lake Farm</a> websites <br /><br />
Best wishes <br /><br />
Helen<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-26062823536308086722013-02-17T08:59:00.000+00:002013-02-17T08:59:37.375+00:00URGENT - Amended Planning Application for Lake Farm Country ParkDear Friend,<br />
<br />
This is an urgent email to notify you that the London Borough of Hillingdon has submitted an amended planning application to put a school on the eastern end of Lake Farm Country Park between Botwell Lane and Botwell Common Road, Hayes.<br />
<br />
It is open to make comments on this amended planning application. The details of the application and how to make a comment are below; however <b>we only have 14 days in which to do so</b>. I would urge you to lodge your comments either in writing or via the link below as a matter of urgency. Please pass this message on to your neighbours and friends.<br />
<br />
For further information please go to my website <a href="http://www.john-mcdonnell.net/">www.john-mcdonnell.net</a><br />
<br />
Best wishes<br />
John
McDonnell MP<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
LONDON BOROUGH OF HILLINGDON <br />
Our Ref: 68911/APP/2012/2983 <br />
<br />
Date: 13 February 2013 <br />
<br />
Dear Sir/Madam <br />
<br />
<b>AMENDED PLANNING APPLICATION - YOUR CHANCE TO COMMENT </b><br />
<br />
The Council has recently received an amended planning application relating to :- <br />
<br />
<b>EASTERN END OF LAKE FARM COUNTRY PARK BETWEEN BOTWELL LANE &, BOTWELL COMMON ROAD HAYES </b><br />
<br />
The application has been submitted by London Borough of Hillingdon and proposes:- <br />
<br />
<b>New 3 Form of Entry primary school (630 students) plus a nursery (45 students) and a Special Resource Provision Unit for approximately 12 pupils, associated car parking, hard and soft play areas, sports pitches, pedestrian and vehicular access routes and landscaping. (AMENDED PLANS) </b><br />
<br />
Full details of the planning application, including the plans, can be viewed on the Council's web site <a href="http://w10.hillingdon.gov.uk/OcellaWeb/planningDetails?reference=68911/APP/2012/2983&from=planningSearch">Click here to view the application and make comments</a> <br />
<br />
Alternatively it is possible to view the application and discuss it with the Duty Planning Officer at the Planning Section, Residents Services at the Civic Centre, Uxbridge, between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday and Thursday evenings until 7:00pm (except bank holidays). If you wish to discuss the above application with the case officer their contact details are at the top of this page. <br />
<br />
Comments on this application must be made (in writing, on-line or via e-mail) within 14 days of the date of this letter. If you are unable to reply within this time your comments can still be considered provided that a decision has not already been made. Any comments you do send to the Council are added to the file and made available for public inspection. If you wish to copy any correspondence you make on this application to your Ward Councillor, you will be able to find their contact details on the above web page or at <a href="http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/" target="_blank">www.hillingdon.gov.uk </a><br />
<br />
Please note that boundary disputes, or the effect of the proposal on property values, are not normally considered valid planning objections to an application. <br />
<br />
All enquiries about this application should be made to the case officer Adrien Waite on Tel: 01895 250230. Alternatively you can contact our Technical Support Team on Tel: 01895 250230.br/>
<br />
We are unable to acknowledge comments received in the post but an automatic reponse will be generated for all comments received on-line. Everyone making comments on this application will be informed of the Council's decision. <br />
<br />
Yours faithfully, <br />
James Rodger <br />
<br />
Head of Planning, <br />
Sport & Green Spaces <br />
<br />
Planning Section <br />
Residents Services <br />
Tel 01895 250230 <br />
London Borough of Hillingdon <br />
3 North, Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge UB8 1UW <br />
<a href="http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/">www.hillingdon.gov.uk</a></blockquote>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-28753581834726316762013-01-31T19:28:00.000+00:002013-01-31T19:28:53.716+00:00Lake Farm school's 'harmful impact on green belt' - Boris JohnsonFrom <a href="http://hayes.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/2013/01/lake-farm-schools-harmful-impa.html" target="_blank">The Uxbridge Gazette</a>, posted by <a href="http://hayes.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/jack_griffith">Jack Griffith</a> on Jan 30, 13 09:44 AM
<a href="http://hayes.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/local-authority/"> in Local Authority</a><br />
<div class="asset-meta">
</div>
<div class="asset-content">
<div class="asset-body">
<img alt="wsg_po@144461_birdwatch.jpg" class="mt-image-left" height="200" src="http://hayes.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/wsg_po%40144461_birdwatch.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0 20px 20px 0;" width="200" />LONDON'S
Mayor Boris Johnson has raised 'major concerns' over the Lake Farm
primary school plans, questioning its green belt location.<br />
<br />
In a letter to Hillingdon Council, planners from the Greater London
Authority (GLA) suggests the 5.6-acre footprint of the proposed school
site, at the eastern end of Lake Farm Country Park off Botwell Lane,
could be reduced.<br />
<br />
The current layout 'appears to have a more harmful impact on the openness of the green belt than necessary', says the report.<br />
If it was found that less space was needed for the school, then some
of the 24 potential sites the council had previously dismissed in favour
of Lake Farm could become options again.<br />
<br />
The GLA report states that while the plans do not comply with The
London Plan, which provides the framework for development in the
capital, adjustments could address these deficiencies.<br />
<br />
Transport for London (TfL) has also indicated that parents dropping
children off could cause major congestion and bus service disruption,
and it has insisted on a robust travel plan.<br />
<br />
The council, which is in the middle of a borough-wide primary school
expansion programme to provide places for increasing numbers of
children, has come under fire for failing to find an alternative
location.<br />
<br />
It will now have to demonstrate the need to keep the green belt is
outweighed by the demand for school places, and the Lake Farm location
is most suitably placed in an area where there is most demand. The GLA
accepts these very special circumstances.<br />
<br />
The threatened swathe of land is also a haven for wildlife, and John
McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, joined birdwatchers there for
the RSPB Big Birdwatch on Saturday.<br />
<br />
Speaking about the GLA report, he said: "It demonstrates that the
whole plan is in jeopardy. [Boris] identified the key points - why this
site, and has the council really considered other places? Why is the
council determined to build on our green belt?<br />
<br />
"We now know that with three new schools already being built it will not be necessary to build one on Lake Farm."<br />
<br />
Any developments on green belt approved by London boroughs have to be
referred to Mr Johnson for final scrutiny, and can be overturned.<br />
<br />
People have campaigned to stop the land being used since July 2011,
when the borough announced its intention to build the school. The three
entry form school would accept up to 630 children, and have a nursery,
play areas, sports pitches and a special resource provision unit.<br />
<br />
The public consultation on the application finished in early January and it will now go to a planning committee for determination. A date for that meeting has not yet been scheduled.<br />
<br />
Ray Puddifoot, leader of Hillingdon Council, revealed the urgent
demand in Hayes for places was such that an extra three forms of entry
are needed for September.<br />
<br />
"The GLA are quite entitled to ask for particulars about the application, and we will respond. There is no cause for alarm.<br />
<br />
"The school is the optimum size, and we don't want to put kids in small schools.<br />
"This has become a political issue about the green belt, when the
real issue is providing children with the education they deserve."<br />
<br />
Onkar Sahota, Labour's London Assembly Member for Ealing &
Hillingdon, said: "Everyone can agree the need to provide more places in
good schools for local children, but I am convinced that there are
better sites that would prevent the loss of open space that local
residents have enjoyed for decades."</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-22320394587317614322013-01-29T18:06:00.000+00:002013-01-29T18:06:18.502+00:00The results of the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch<p>Here are the results of the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch that the community of Hayes took part in on Saturday 26th January. These birds were counted in the space of one hour at Lake Farm Country Park :</p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0" style="page-break-before: always; width: 569px;"> <colgroup><col width="232"></col> <col width="154"></col> <col width="139"></col> </colgroup><tbody>
<tr> <td height="8" width="232"><div class="western">
</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
Total numbers</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
Numbers per observ.</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Blackbird</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
5</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
2</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Blue tit</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
12</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
2</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Carrion crow</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
12</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
chaffinch</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Coal tit</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
2</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
2</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Dunnock</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Feral pigeon</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
100</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
100</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Great tit</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
6</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
3</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Green finch</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Magpie</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
20</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
2</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Robin</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Starling</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
2</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Woodpigeon</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
5</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
3</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
<b>OTHERS</b></div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Sparrow Hawk</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Commmon gull</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
25</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
25</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Blackheaded gull</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
12</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
12</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Fieldfare</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
13</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
13</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Stonechat</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
3</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
3</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Red bunting</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
6</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
6</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Greater Spotted Woodpecker</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
Kestral</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="9" width="232"><div class="western">
comorant</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
1</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td height="8" width="232"><div class="western">
Mistle Thrushes</div>
</td> <td width="154"><div class="western">
6</div>
</td> <td width="139"><div class="western">
6</div>
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-6023018595116835422013-01-23T16:22:00.001+00:002013-01-24T18:39:58.219+00:00RSPB Big Garden BirdwatchDear Friends,<br />
<br />
As part of the <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/index.aspx" target="_blank">RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch</a>, I am emailing to invite you to join me to count the birds on Lake Farm.<br />
<br />
We will meet by the Skylark on Botwell Lane at 1.30pm on Saturday 26th January and make our way into the field to count as many birds and species of bird as possible.<br />
<br />
This is a yearly event that provides results from so many gardens and parks. The data people collect help the RSPB to create a 'snapshot' of bird numbers across the UK and assess the population changes to birds in the UK.<br />
<br />
This data may also assist us in our campaign against building on this much loved and valued green belt.<br />
<br />
I do hope that you will join me, it will only be for an hour, I hope to see you then<br />
Best wishes<br />
<br />
John<br />
McDonnell MPUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-10473368771854188972013-01-07T19:44:00.000+00:002013-01-07T19:44:13.436+00:00Last Chance to Comment!Comments on the Lake Farm planning application must be made (in writing, on-line or via email) by tomorrow (8th January 2013).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/planningsearch?fPst=4" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO LEAVE YOUR COMMENT<br />ON THE HILLINGDON WEBSITE NOW</a></span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-82058764359722440662013-01-05T16:07:00.001+00:002013-01-05T16:07:49.775+00:00John McDonnell MP at January 5th Demonstration<object width="580" height="400"><param name="allowfullscreen"
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allowfullscreen="1" width="580" height="400"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-38117235005851109812013-01-02T17:57:00.001+00:002013-01-02T17:57:06.622+00:00Important Reminder - Demonstration I am writing to let you know that we are gathering as a group of local residents on Lake Farm, Botwell Lane to demonstrate our opposition to the development of this land.<br />
<br />
We will be holding a demonstration on <b>Saturday 5th January at 11am, meeting by the Skylark</b>. Please do come along and bring any placards, banners and whistles to highlight our call to protect this land.<br />
<br />
Best wishes,<br />
<br />
John McDonnell MP <br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-20292535195651627252012-12-22T19:31:00.000+00:002012-12-22T19:31:38.871+00:00Draft Letter to Use as Model to Respond to Lake Farm/Botwell Common Planning ApplicationThanks to everyone who came along to the candle light vigil last
night at Lake Farm. Lots of people are writing in to object to the
Council’s planning application to build on our Lake Farm Country Park
and Botwell Common. People have asked for a draft letter of objection
which they can model their own on.<br />
<br />
This is a basic draft that you may find helpful.<br />
<br />
<b>Dear Jean Palmer,</b><br />
<br />
<b>
</b><b>Planning Application reference number 68911/APP/2012/2983.</b><br />
<br />
<b>
</b><b>I am writing to object to the Council’s planning application to build a school on Lake Farm Country Park/Botwell Common.</b><br />
<br />
<b>
</b><b>Lake Farm/Botwell Common is an immensely important green belt, public, open space located in this densely populated urban area. </b><br />
<br />
<b>
</b><b>This green belt land is critically important to local residents who
use it for recreation purposes and enjoy its bird-life, biodiversity and
natural environment. </b><br />
<br />
<b>
</b><b>The proposal to develop this site has caused consternation and uproar
in the local community that such a much valued community asset is under
threat.</b><br />
<br />
<b>
</b><b>Developing this site will deprive local residents of a local park
that we have all enjoyed for many years. It will threaten the diverse
wildlife, bird-life and fauna of the area and will result in a
considerable loss of amenity.</b><br />
<br />
<b>
</b><b>Building a school on this site will increase traffic on the already
congested local roads, where there is an existing proven risk of road
accidents.</b><br />
<br />
<b>
</b><b>In addition it will increase pollution in an area which suffers from high levels of air pollution.</b><br />
<b>
</b><b>There is no justification for building on a green belt site when other sites are available in the area. </b><br />
<br />
<b>
</b><b>I do not believe that the council has undertaken a proper search and
assessment of sites as alternatives to building on a green belt site.
This is evidenced by the fact that whilst it was supposedly looking to
identify a site for a new school in the area, the council sold off for
housing one of the most suitable sites near to Lake Farm/Botwell
Common,i.e. the former swimming pool site.</b><br />
<br />
<b>
</b><b>I also do not believe that the council has justified the need for a
new school on this site given the current expansion of a number of
existing schools within the area and the plans now in process for the
new primary schools at Guru Nanak Sikh School, Rosedale College, and
Hewens College. The council has failed to take account fully not only
these expansions and new school plans but also the uptake of places at
schools that have alreday expanded within the borough.</b><br />
<b>
</b><b>For all these reasons I strongly object to this planning application
and urge that the Planning Committee reject this application and
preserve our green belt country park.</b><br />
<br />
<b>
</b><b>Yours,</b><br />
<br />
Send your letters by 8th January to Jean Palmer, Director of
Planning, Civic Centre, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 1UW. Please quote the
planning reference number. You can also comment and submit your
objection by going onto the Council’s website and its plannig section.<br />
<br />
Please urge as many of your family, friends and neighbours to write in to object to this threat to our environment.<br />
<br />
Thanks <br />
John
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-87929834241871409602012-12-17T19:04:00.002+00:002012-12-17T19:06:12.225+00:00Further Demonstration We now need to urgently mobilise a large scale community campaign to prevent the Council destroying our local green belt open spaces. Therefore, we are gathering as a group of local residents on Lake Farm, Botwell Lane to demonstrate our opposition to the development of this land.<br />
<br />
As well as holding a <b>candlelit vigil on Thursday 20th December at 7pm</b>, we will also be holding a <b>demonstration on Saturday 5th January at 11am</b>, again meeting by the Skylark on Botwell Lane.<br />
<br />
Please do come along and bring any placards or banners to highlight our call to protect this land.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-3741587078888718462012-12-15T08:20:00.002+00:002012-12-15T08:20:46.201+00:00Candle-Light DemonstrationCome and show your opposition to development on Botwell Common by joining a candle-light demonstration on <b>Thursday 20th December at 7pm</b>. Bring a candle or lamp. Let's make a statement "hands off lake farm"!<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=lake+farm+country+park,+hayes&aq=&sll=52.8382,-2.327815&sspn=12.733183,33.815918&ie=UTF8&hq=lake+farm+country+park,+hayes&t=m&ll=51.514725,-0.428467&spn=0.03739,0.072956&z=13&iwloc=A&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=lake+farm+country+park,+hayes&aq=&sll=52.8382,-2.327815&sspn=12.733183,33.815918&ie=UTF8&hq=lake+farm+country+park,+hayes&t=m&ll=51.514725,-0.428467&spn=0.03739,0.072956&z=13&iwloc=A" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2620644259989630375.post-9392858517072589112012-12-06T18:29:00.000+00:002012-12-06T18:29:29.523+00:00Public Meeting on Thursday 13th December at 8pm<b><span style="font-size: large;">Council Has Submitted Planning Application to Build on Botwell Common/Lake Farm Country Park</span></b><br />
<br />
Local MP John McDonnell said “Last week the council sneaked out its planning application to build on our local country park. The planning application was not listed on Monday on the list of planning applications submitted in the last fortnight although it had been submitted formally the previous week. The documents relevant to the planning application were also not available. This is an absolute disgrace and means that local people will have less time to consider the application and lodge any objections. It also looks as though the councillors are trying to rush the application through over the Christmas period when many people and organisations will not be available to object.<br /><br /><b>I have called a public meeting next Thursday 13th December at 8pm at Botwell Church Social Centre, Botwell Lane, Hayes. Please come along to hear about the Council’s planning application and to help us protect our local country park.<br /><br />Everybody with an interest in protecting our open spaces and green belt should come along as if the council gets its way and builds on this open space, no area of green belt will be safe in our community.</b><br /><br />The planning application is to put a school on the eastern end of Lake Farm Country Park between Botwell Lane and Botwell Common Road, Hayes.<br /><br />This is for New 3 Form of Entry primary school (630 students) plus a nursery (45 students) and an Special Resource Provision Unit for approximately 12 pupils, associated car parking, hard and soft play areas, sports pitches, pedestrian and vehicular access routes and landscaping.<br /><br />There are now doubts whether this new school is needed as two new primary schools have been agreed to be built in our area since the original council decision to build on Lake Farm was taken. In addition there are many other sites the council could use but they want to sell off those sites at our expense. <br /><br />The planning application reference number is 68911/APP/2012/2983. It is open for you to comment on this application on the London Borough of Hillingdon website. Alternatively you can write to Jean Palmer, Director of Planning, Civic Centre, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 1UW. Please quote the planning reference number.”<br /><br /><b>For further comment contact John on 078956292576</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0