Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Wightman - the "Jewson's Stretch"
I'm glad Eddie brought up the Jewson's Stretch over on another post.
For the last few weeks I've been driving by there and thinking that the strip of land between the Jewson's Buildings on and the road could quite easily be brought into use as a public amenity on the same basis as the land along the New River, i.e. involving no transfer of ownership, but an opening up of use to the public.
Easy:
- take down the awful fence
- erect a wooden (non-eyesore) fence further in to protect Jewson's property
- manage the area for wild flowers through the seasons.
Why not?
Could this be afforded by a Make the Difference grant? Or, are there similar grants available and those that have been used for Fairlands and Ducketts?
For the last few weeks I've been driving by there and thinking that the strip of land between the Jewson's Buildings on and the road could quite easily be brought into use as a public amenity on the same basis as the land along the New River, i.e. involving no transfer of ownership, but an opening up of use to the public.
Easy:
- take down the awful fence
- erect a wooden (non-eyesore) fence further in to protect Jewson's property
- manage the area for wild flowers through the seasons.
Why not?
Could this be afforded by a Make the Difference grant? Or, are there similar grants available and those that have been used for Fairlands and Ducketts?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on
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Thanks, Hugh.
Three years ago, under the aegis of WRN4 Residents Assn, I made a bid for a Making the Difference grant of £10K for this very purpose - but the response from Neighbourhood Management and the adjudicating panel was that as this was private land it couldn't be considered under the scheme. Paul (??Portuguese name??) who works or worked with Dasos Maliotis, was subsequently encouraging that some way could be found around the problem. Brian Haley on two occasions was jovially dismissive of my idea, asking who would be responsible when those trees start falling on people's heads. Hardly the most useful comment from the 'Cabinet Member' for the Environment who has actually lived practically in the shade of those trees and in view of that eyesore for years.
I see that we returned to the question at our WRN4RA meeting 28/05/08 but I don't think we progressed very far since then.
I'm with you on your suggestions above. I still think Network Rail, Jewson and Council would need to be involved. Whatever the details of ownership of this strip, I doubt if the max £10K MtD award would cover the clearance of rubbish and embankment and securing of existing trees - unless, of course, our cash-strapped Council could persuade Network Rail and Jewson to do what they should have done decades ago.
On the other hand, a £10K MtD award coupled with a more substantial grant from Groundwork:Community Spaces would really make a difference.
Certainly as of May'08, Groundwork:Community Spaces were open to applications for what they call 'small and medium grants' - i.e. £10,000 - £25,000 or £25,001 - £49,999.
Groundwork will not of course make grants for land purchase, or for "anything that is the legal responsibility of other organisations".
I think, since we're about to calm WR drivers down to 20mph, we might as well try to calm down pedestrians too.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Perhaps we could use this as a template, though I think a woodland & wild flowers space might work nicely on the Jewson' strip. Who knows we might even get Jewson's / the railway to pay for some all?
All we need now is a champion for the project.
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I'd certainly like to talk about it to WightmanPaul & Nic and then invite any and all supporters to our next WRN4RA meeting on Monday 22 March - maybe even with an eye to a Making the Difference bid before the end of March. Yes, Jewson's and the Railway might allow their arms to be twisted.
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Ho-hum. Friday 12th March is the MtD deadline this year. Let's see if we can do anything in a week.
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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Get a form, apply for the money, - worry about the details after you get it.
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Yes it is, all you need to do is outline (briefly) your idea, say what priority theme it covers and give your contact details.
I've attached the help with priority themes they send you. - Attachments:
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Thanks folks. The initial application form is still short and basic. I'll get in touch with Paul J & Nic and see if Dasos' office can advise on the public use of private land angle.
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Permalink Reply by Alison P on
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I think this is a great idea, let me know if I can do anything to help.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Ford on
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I second that.
Its always been a rather grotty stretch of road, especially with that horrible leak which you need to tiptoe around to avoid getting your feet soaked. The low fence and advertising boards have been a dumping ground for as long as I can remember.
Short of lobbying my Lib Dem colleagues to make this an election issue (which I dont think will be seen as a priority I'm afraid), if there is anything I can do as a candidate to raise the profile of this idea please let me know - I'm all for it!
Chris
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Cheers, Alison and Chris. Support welcome from all parties and none - though, Chris, your new Environment Spokesman (probably) has lived beside it for years and failed to notice it's been a tip for even longer.
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