Click here or on image to download petition
Please download the Trillium petition and get as many signatures as possible in the coming weeks.
As you complete each sheet, please post them to EAST END WATERWAY GROUP, c/o J-Go Training Ltd, Railway Arch 420, Burdett Road, London, E3 4AA. When we have a good number, the plan is for a group of us to formally present the petition to Mr. Ross Fraser, the President of Trillium, at its headquarters in London Wall.
For SAVE 307 stickers, further information or offers of help please email here [email protected] with “East End Waterway Group” in subject box.
307 DEMOLITION REFUSED
Trillium’s application (PA/10/00510) for conservation area consent to demolish the former POPLAR EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE at 307 Burdett Road was refused by Tower Hamlets Council on 5 May 2010. The reasons for refusal are
1. The demolition of the Neo-Georgian building is contrary to PPS5: Planning and the Historic Environment, policies 4B.4, 4B.11 and 4B.12 of the London Plan (2008), saved policy DEV28 of the adopted Unitary Development Plan 1998, policies CP49, CON1 and CON2 of the Interim Planning Guidance(2007) and SP10 of the Core Strategy Submission Version December 2009. These policies seek to conserve heritage assets and preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation areas in that:
- The Neo-Georgian Building makes a positive architectural contribution to the street scene of Burdett Road and contributes to the character and appearance of the Limehouse Cut Conservation Area. As such the proposed demolition would entirely remove a valuable historic asset and its loss would not preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Limehouse Cut Conservation Area.
- The proposal to demolish the building fails to consider that heritage assets are a non-renewable resource. No structural survey or other justification for the demolition of a building which appears capable of retention and repair has been provided and no indication of the costs of its repair or maintenance have been provided. It is considered that the building is in a reasonable state of repair and capable of continued use.
The building has been vacant since 2006 and insufficient information has been provided in respect of the marketing carried out. Furthermore, insufficient information regarding options to retain the building for use, whether for that purpose or for other uses compatible with its conservation, has been provided.
2. In the absence of an approved planning permission for the re-development of the existing buildings, the demolition of 307 Burdett Road would leave an undeveloped site which would represent a blight on the character and appearance of the Limehouse Cut Conservation Area, contrary to PPS5: Planning and the Historic Environment, policies 4B.4, 4B.11 and 4B.12 of the London Plan (2008), saved policy DEV28 of the adopted Unitary Development Plan 1998, policies CP49, CON1 and CON2 of the Interim Planning Guidance(2007) and SP10 of the Core Strategy Submission Version December 2009 which seek to ensure demolition and development within Conservation Areas respects the character and appearance of those areas.
This welcome decision by planning officers is in line with last September’s decision by the Strategic Development Committee to refuse Trillium’s previous application for demolition and replacement at 307 Burdett Road. It also indicates the Council’s determination to defend its designation of the Limehouse Cut Conservation Area in the High Court, if and when Trillium’s challenge is heard in the High Court.
All our objections must have contributed to the refusal of PA/10/00510. In addition to my letter of objection on behalf of the EAST END WATERWAY GROUP (see newsletter no. 3), the Council received:
- a copy of the Trillium petition with 341 signatures
- an email objection from 36 local residents
- a dozen or so letters from individual residents
- several letters from amenity organisations and societies
We have now got to prepare for the judicial review in the High Court, and demonstrate our wish to see 307 Burdett Road retained and adapted as a training and social enterprise centre for unemployed local people.
Tom Ridge
Further information or offers of help please email here [email protected] with “East End Waterway Group” in subject box.
East End Waterway Group
East End Waterway Group
Local residents, schools, community groups, amenity societies and businesses working with British Waterways, Tower Hamlets Council and others for the protection and beneficial use of the six-mile waterway ‘ring’, its historic buildings, structures and habitats.