Results of Planning Meeting for Ferris Wheel

The dice were loaded, as I knew they would be, in favour of the wheel. The vote was unanimous for it to be given permission.

Planning Officers live in fear of Councillors voting against their proposed decision, usually because of the applicant’s legal position and the potential for litigation. 

I wasn’t expecting a ward Councillor to speak in favour of the application, especially given the applicant had chosen not to speak. With his two fellow ward Cllrs sitting on the panel and similar words being used, I’m not sure that’s the right approach but hey, what he said was fair.

Cllr Devon Davies asked insightful questions demonstrating he’d read the papers. Insight that was distinctly lacking from some of the other questions. Even the officers seemed confused!

Watch for yourself. Sorry for speaking so quickly, I only had 3 mins. Some phrases might be confusing, they were aimed at Councillors experienced in planning matters.

What was reassuring was the Chairman’s challenging the point about the assumption of approval. Cllr Tisi was right in as much as the planning decision simply allows something, it doesn’t make it happen, there is a business decision to be made as well. 

The current psychology seems to be, if it’s passed by planning then it’s a goer. That logic needs to move to an open and transparent business decision being made in a public arena given the general nature of poor business decisions having been made by councils, not just RBWM but across the UK.

We need to be told on what terms our public spaces are being leased to commercial organisations so that those with business smarts can step forward, do their community duty and say, “If you approached it like this you’ll make twice the return for the benefit of the community.”

Do keep signing the petition if you don’t want Alexandra Gardens to be turned into a fair ground 24/7

https://rbwm.moderngov.co.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=2207

Next job, talk to the RBWM economic team and see what can be evolved.

My words as spoken at the meeting…

Why should you give Alexandra Gardens back to the people?

A RUSHED, INACCURATE APPLICATION

• Last year’s dates submitted on the forms.
• The latest document benchmarked biodiversity against already damaged lawns and managed to show a huge negative impact.
• And the Planning Department still recommends approval!

RBWM’S CORPORATE PLAN – IS IT JUST WORDS

• Creating a sustainable borough
• Biodiverse environment
• Health & wellbeing, reducing inequalities, empowering communities.

PLANNING LAW

• Protects areas of historic significance and recreation value
• Biodiversity requires a minimum 10% Net Gain
• NPPF 8 says decisions must promote healthy, safe, and inclusive places.

BIODIVERSITY

• We are expected to believe that four bird boxes increase biodiversity by 32%? Laughable
• Alexandra Gardens should be full of flowers, plants, and wildlife, not 40 ton metal fairground rides.

FINANCIAL FAIRNESS

• We’re paying 8% more in council tax—hundreds of pounds more per household.
• RBWM needs to be seen by HM GOV to be open for business, unable to turn down a single pound offered because of its £100m government loan
• RBWM’s own fee structure shows high-footfall businesses in the park should pay thousands of pounds per day in fees. 
• Yet, last year, this applicant paid just £40,000 for the best six months of the year, around £200 a day for 1000m2 of prime public amenity space. Nowhere near its true value.
• Equating to around £1 a day for a table top sized stall in a prime spot. I bet the coach park retailers wished their rents were so low!

Why are local taxpayers subsidising a commercial operator at the cost of their own green space and mental health?

• RBWM spends millions on mental health. 13% of adults are diagnosed with depression. Over 20% of young people face anxiety, self-harm, or school avoidance.
• Alexandra Gardens was given to the people for their health and well-being by Sir Barry at the turn of the last century.
• Now, more than ever, we need safe, peaceful places to escape the stresses of daily life.

PUBLIC OPINION

• We asked FB: Should the wheel stay? Only 11% of 588 respondents said yes
• To date, 339 people have signed the petition to protect Alexandra Gardens.

COUNCILLORS AT LEAST ENSURE EQUITY

• Everything in the corporate plan does say; Sir Barry would say; and planning law seems to say; don’t allow the wheel
• If you were brave you’d refuse the application and give Alexandra Gardens to local families and visitors. Space to enjoy mother nature & the gardens next to the Thames.
• Real life dictates that you have to be seen by the GOV to take any pound you are offered. 
• If your hands are tied, then residents should at least expect to be treated the same as a Commercial operator
  • RBWM should offer residents the opportunity to rent a table top space, 6m2, in Alexandra Gardens for £1 a day to host their families or sell their wares.

Please work on Giving Alexandra Garden back to the People