Help Save The Romany Scout Site..under threat from Developer Post Reply

[Caferacer]

If a fundraising event is being thought about - I will willingly provide one "dinky" coffee van to the proceedings!
This is a great cause. Both of my girls attended the Romany play group ( or "Play Gloop" as they called it ), meeting and playing with all the neighbouring children in a safe, magical atmosphere that would be impossible to recreate anywhere else in SW18.

As they grew the Scouts became an important part of their lives - again the Romany provided an irreplaceable resource, then there's the Fireworks Night parties, the street parties, the Queen's Jubilee etc. etc. etc.

The Romany is our Village Green! Let's not loose it.

www.facebook.com/caferacercoffeebar

[JThomas]

When you're pregnant with twins the stats make grim reading... more chance of problems in pregnancy, more chance of problems with the babies, more chance of post-natal depression, more chance of financial issues, more chance of divorce....

The Romany Scout Hut has enabled Wandsworth Twins Club to run a fantastic playgroup which acts as a lifeline for local parents of multiples: Friendly faces, people in the same boat as you, space for the children to explore, maybe even a hot cup of coffee. If the site is handed over to a developer it would be terrible to lose this.

[New to Earlsfield]

This is terrible news. Both my daughter, son, not to mention myself have benefited from attending Playhouse Playgroup. We didn't know anyone when we moved to Earlsfield a couple of years ago and our morning sessions have been a real saviour. We will be supporting the campaign fully!

[Eire~mama]

As I've posted b4the save the Romany thread , this site has been a life line to my sons for the last 18+ years...playgroup, cubs, scouts ...I am appalled that Wandsworth council would EVER allow the breaking of the covenants to hand the land over to a private developer , depriving hundreds of local children the chance to be cubs & scouts , where they forge outdoor skills that are so lacking in our young people today in such a safe wonderful setting . Scout groups are open to all children from every section of our community and the children who attend scouts at the Romany come from all over Wandsworth I believe.

I too will be watching VERY closely how Wandsworth council handle this whole issue . I sincerely hope that Mr Buss and his fellow councillors uphold the covenants they hold and ignore any "free places offered at posh nursery for disabled children " or any other inducements offered by this ruthless, money grabbing developer . I hope they stand with us , their community , and block every step of this developers and tennis clubs plans and Save The Romany for future generations of Wandsworth children.

[Eire~mama]

As I've posted before on save the Romany thread , this site has been a life line to my sons for the last 18+ years...playgroup, cubs, scouts ...I am appalled that Wandsworth council would EVER allow the breaking of the covenants to hand the land over to a private developer , depriving hundreds of local children the chance to be Cubs & Scouts , where they forge friendships & essential outdoor skills that are so lacking in our young people today , in such a safe wonderful setting . Scout groups are open to all children from every section of our community and the children who attend scouts at the Romany come from all over Wandsworth I believe.

I too will be watching VERY closely how Wandsworth council handle this whole issue . I sincerely hope that Mr Buss and his fellow councillors uphold the covenants they hold and ignore any "free places offered at posh nursery for disabled children " or any other inducements offered by this ruthless, money grabbing developer . I hope they stand with us , their community , and block every step of this developers and tennis clubs plans and Save The Romany for future generations of Wandsworth children.

[Caferacer]

Always suspicious of how developers manipulate planning permission. They usually apply for something small and reasonable, and once granted use it as the thin end of the wedge to get what they really want.

A nursery in Wandsworth got permission to change of use to a building on the proviso that it was only for disabled and special needs children which would be collected from all over London by an Eco-Friendly electric minibus...sounds all very good and "right-on"

However once permission was granted the Eco Bus was dropped, along with the Special Needs kids and it opened it's doors as a normal commercial nursery...nothing like what was proposed!

[Katem]

Playhouse Playgroup and the Scout hut: Not just a place, but a must for the area.
Like many mums, I moved here just as I had my first child. 7 years ago, I didn't know anyone and I didn't know where to go with a baby boy, especially in the cold rainy months.
Striking up conversations at the swings or in coffee shops always felt a bit weird to me. It was ok but short-lived, a few sentences exchanged then you went your separate ways. The clock ticking, time for a feed, a nap or something.
Then things changed. My neighbour, mother of 3 at the time, let me in to the best kept secret.
She said: "Take a walk along Lyford Road, look for the big green doors and follow the path".
It was like something out of Alice in Wonderland. I didn't fall down a rabbit hole exactly, but what I did find was equally as magical.
A friendly, open, safe place of fun for children and parents alike.
Toys and circle time (bourbons specifically) for the kids and a place of smiles, advice and banter for the mums.
Very quickly I developed friendships, that to this day, still exist. Very quickly, Playhouse became a big part of the week. And over 7 years both my sons have been there, so it's fair to say, that very quickly, Playhouse became part of my life.
It's a great shame to think that if the scout hut goes, where will all the new mums go? Playhouse should be part of their lives too.

[Joarkwright]

Twin Club at The Romany is great for my triplet boys, as it gives them such a wonderful space to play and develop. It is hard to find enclosed but spacious outdoor spaces that I can take them too and it will be a great shame if this is taken away from the Wandsworth community.

[nancyshaw220]

Great to see so many banners, posters, fliers & petitions being signed as part of the Save the Romany campaign. If you haven't signed the petition yet, please do!

[SaveTheRomany*Mums]

We are Delighted to read in Wandsworth Tory Councillors published newsletter via email The following update from them clarifying Wandsworth councils stance on any development of the Romany Scout site , their stance on the Asset of Community Value order and their desire to uphold the covenants until 2100.. But we mustn't be complacent . It's really important that people still come to the public meeting next week 3rd July At Beatrix Potter School @ 7.30 pm to voice their desire to Protect The Romany and put questions to the invited panel, including these councillors ,to ensure The Romany never passes into private ownership for development ...


Dear Resident

We, Claire Clay, Maurice Heaster and Kathy Tracey, your Conservative councillors, are delighted to have been re-elected in May’s elections. Between us we’ve lived locally for over a hundred years and we’re looking forward to another 4 years of representing and helping local residents. We can’t promise to solve all your problems, but if you need us our contact details are below. Here are a few things happening locally this summer.

The Future of the Romany

This is a charming oasis of land behind Lyford and Magdalen Roads, home to a myriad of much loved local groups. It's owned by Magdalen Park Lawn Tennis Club and part of it is leased to the scouts, these two are negotiating the renewal of this lease.

We understand the tennis club is exploring their options for the rest of the site. These options are limited as there is a covenant which prohibits any development on the site until 2100 and the whole site has been designated by the council an Asset of Community Value, meaning that if the site were to be sold or leased the owner has a duty to inform the council. Under certain circumstances the disposal can be put on hold, and the local community given 6 months to come up with their own offer. Plans to do anything other than superficial maintenance to the existing buildings would have to be submitted to the council's planning department. The council's policy of protecting existing community facilities provides significant safeguards - you can read more technical information about this here.

So far no planning application has been submitted, nor has any developer arranged a pre-application consultation. Nevertheless there is, understandably, considerable disquiet about the future of this space, and a public meeting has been arranged for Thursday 3rd July at Beatrix Potter School at 7.30pm.

How to contact your local councillors
Claire on cclay@wandsworth.gov.uk or 020 8870 8133.
Maurice on mheaster@wandsworth.gov.uk, or 020 8874 4681
Kathy on ktracey@wandsworth.gov.uk, or 020 8870 3184

[nancyshaw220]

We are looking forward to the 'Love the Romany' day on Sunday 12-4pm, lots of fun family activities to enjoy all supporting a great local oasis - see you there!

Positive news from the Coucil! When is the closing date for the petition? Will it be presented at the Public meeting?

Thank you for your committed work 'Save the Romany''
With love from a local Earlsfield Mum x

[SaveTheRomany*Mums]

Here's an update to all ; Please come to this public meeting where you can PUT your objections and concerns about The Romany Site To representatives from Wandsworth council , Sadiq Khan Local MP and Alexander Adam From Magdalen park tennis Club ,who is heading the committee trying to dispose of The Romany Site to developers..

SAVE the ROMANY SITE
The Community is invited to a Public Meeting this THURSDAY, 3rd JULY at 7.30pm at BEATRIX POTTER SCHOOL, Magdalen Road, SW18 3ER ( Openview entrance ) Unrestricted parking locally .

Lord Michael Grade will be chairing the meeting with an invited panel including Sadiq Khan local MP, Councillor Kathy Tracey (head of children services Wandsworth council ) Adam Law (Chairman Scouts)
Dr Jag Acharya (Playgroup Rep ) and Alexandra Adam (Magdalen Park Tennis Club)

This is an opportunity for YOU to put questions and hear answers from the panel ,who have the power to Save the Romany . To scrutinise their objectives / plans to protect/develop this cherished community site .

The Romany Site is listed as a Community Asset and the restrictive covenants on it should protect it as an 'Open Space' until 2100.Please come and Question this panel HOW this land can be allowed to be developed and LOST to the community forever !

A handful of people are working very hard to protect this land PLEASE come and support saving this site for our children & Community on Thursday!

We know for many parents with young children this is not a great time in the evening but this a VERY important, one off meeting, where YOU can make a difference and make your voice heard.

Hope To See You There

[Caferacer]

I shall be there !

[nancyshaw220]

We'll be there too! Thank you for organising!