the fight to save leyton marsh continues

Message from the Lea Valley Federation

"At Tuesday's Waltham Forest planning committee, despite some very clear and cogent arguments against the proposal and nothing much of substance from the other side, the Chair's casting vote (a vote of 4 to 3) saw the decision to approve the ODA application for temporary basketball courts on Leyton Marsh.

A meeting has been arranged to discuss a campaign against the development:

Monday 13 February at 7pm

at the

Hare & Hounds PH, 282 Lea Bridge Road E10 7LD. MAP

The meeting is being held in what is, except for Monday evenings, the dining area. Children are welcome. But sorry no dogs.

Please contact Barry Buitekant - barry[dot]buitekant[at]hotmail[dot]com - if you need further details or want to comment. And please circulate this message to friends and email circulation lists."

Other news:

So much for the Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA) argument that, as it had a limited shelf life, there was no longer term risk to Leyton marsh. Boris Johnson is proposing to use powers in the Localism Act to establish a mayoral development corporation (MDC) covering the Olympic Park and surrounding area (yes that's right, using the localism act to centralise planning powers). The London Assembly recently voted unanimously to endorse the plans. The MDC would become the local planning authority for the area within its boundaries. Part of 4 London Boroughs (Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest) lie within the MDC's proposed boundaries, although planning powers in the are that it would cover are currently held by the ODA and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation. If the Government gives the go ahead, the MDC will take over responsibility for determining planning applications from the ODA and the development corporation from October and will also replace the Olympic Park Legacy Company. Leyton marsh doesn't fall within the boundary for the new MDC, but as we already know there are no guarantees the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority won't be touting it for future development. More at: mayoral development corporation