Richmond Road Shops & Post Office Update

At CARA we are very keen to see the continued presence and support of the parade of shops adjacent to our area along the Richmond Road.

Over the last two years we have been working with the Council and local businesses to deliver a range of improvements to improve the image of the area in order to encourage additional trade and provide a more vibrant amenity for local residents. Much of the work has been made possible by the provision of grants made available from TFL (Transport for London).

Last year the Council carried out a package of Highway improvements to roads adjacent to the parade. These included new entry treatments, corrections to pavements, the removal of unnecessary street furniture (bollards, signs etc) and improved signage for the FREE one hour shopper parking. Just before Christmas the contractors started work on the second phase which has resulted in the removal of a largely unused advertising hoarding; the planting of four trees outside Nos. 127 -141 Richmond Road and the installation of new cycle stands.

At the same time we appreciate the efforts of many of our local traders in support of the improvements being made. Please support them by spending some money locally!

Whilst not to everyones taste it is a shame that the BetRouge bookmakers has moved on. It is also regrettable that as part the Post Office restructuring programme, the Chestnut Grove post office on the corner of Chestnut Road and Richmond Road has along with 169 other of the capital's 850 post offices been earmarked for closure. There will be a period of consultation regarding this but on the evidence of the recent branch access survey, it is felt that the post offices opposite Sainsburys and the one on Kings Road offer sufficient alternative amenity.

However, we're not so sure the amenity of the post office itself is not being treated in an equitable manner under the assessment.

In relation to the other two alternative branches compared to it at 76 Richmond Road and most significantly the one at 161 Park Road we noted the following:

• Chestnut Grove Post Office (CGPO) is open longer than the Kings Road branch (46.5 hours compared to 37.5)
• Has two serving positions compared to Kings Road's one
• Serves between 100 and 250 more people a week
• Serves a larger population than the Kings Road Branch (38658 v 36270)
• Has unique free parking next to the branch - both other branches only have pay parking available nearby
  
• Has free disabled parking in the adjacent street
• In terms of disabled access, CGPO has no restrictions (the others have a step or an entrance strip).

Contrary to the report we would also comment that:

• CGPO offers additional service in terms of stationery products and a reasonably popular internet cafe facility which is used during the day by passing traffic and local students.
  
• The branch is in fact on a local Bus Route - the Number 65 which is a 24 hour service run every 7 minutes on average by TFL (albeit we have already had discussions re the re-siting of adjacent bus stops to the parade as previously mentioned).
• The buses all have good disabled low floor access and offer concession for children those over 60 years of age.

Such information appears to have been completely left out the report published on the Post Office web site. Furthermore we would like many other have, comment that:

• CGPO is a key stone store for the rest of the parade. People visit there to conduct business and then go to the florist, butcher, newsagent, cafe etc.
• Without it, there is a risk that other shops may suffer in a similar way to when the chemist relocated into the Sainsburys store.
• Unlike Kings Road, the CGPO acts as an amenity for these local businesses as well many of the local residents who work from home from time to time. Again quantifying the use by organisations and businesses from the tennis clubs, the Pavilion, the pubs, Creed Miles, the shops to the photographer etc. would set it far apart in terms of usefulness from the Kings Road branch.

And finally this Post Office, unlike the other one at 76 Richmond Road, has a post box!!!

Let us try and keep it for the good of the community. If you would like to comment on the Post Office closure please let us know by visiting the Discussion section on the CARA Community Hub.

Grants for local clubs, societies, groups and projects

The 2008 CARA Community Grant Programme has been created to invest in projects which underpin the aims and objectives of CARA to protect and enhance amenities within the area for all residents and users.

For the second year running we are looking to invest some of our funds in local organisations and in so doing:

• Help organisations to become stronger by acquiring or developing assets for their own use.
• Encourage inclusive communities through active participation in clubs, societies and groups.
• Support projects that help people deal with change in their lives.
• Enhance or protect the local environment for the benefit of the whole community.

A wide range of groups can apply for each of the four grants available this year including charities, voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, sports projects and special interest groups. As in 2007, we expect most of the grants we make to be in the region of £500.

If you are interested in applying, please email us at cara.kingston@gmail.com and we will send you a simple outline proposal form for you to complete to tell us about your idea and your group. Alternatively you can download the application form here.

At anytime during the process you can speak to us regarding your application or to discuss your idea or any queries you may have.

Please note all applications must be received by 31st May 2008. We anticipate awarding grants to successful applicants by 30th June 2008.

Volunteers needed for CARA spring tidy-ups with Thames Landscape Strategy (TLS)

Sunday February 24th, meeting at Albany Sailing Centre at 10.30 am - vegetation "haircut" and tree planting.
Lopping and pruning till about 12.30, followed by planting two new black poplars trees by the Hawker Centre in memory of Madge Over, who lived by the towpath until her death in 2006 at the age of ninety.
Volunteers are advised to wear old clothes with sturdy footwear. TLS will provide gloves and relevant tools – secateurs, shears, loppers etc for vegetation management, and a spade for the tree planting. TLS will give a short health and safety briefing before we start and will be on hand to answer queries regarding the use of equipment. They will also undertake a risk assessment beforehand and helpers will be covered by Royal Borough of Kingston insurance.
Please let a CARA Committee member know if you intend to come along.

Sunday March 30th, meeting at Albany Sailing Centre at 10.30 am - riverside litter-picking from Canbury Gardens to the Boundary Stone.
Volunteers of all ages are welcome to join in, no special skill or equipment required, but old clothes, sturdy footwear and rubber gloves are recommended. TLS will undertake a risk assessment beforehand and the activity will be covered by Royal Borough of Kingston insurance. After the litter-pick, there will be a brief ceremony by the trees planted in February in memory of Madge Over.

How do you feel about plastic carrier bags?

Would you stop using local shops if you had to take your own shopping bag? Or are you fed up of seeing plastic bags littering our roadsides, hedges and river, and think the CARA area would benefit from being the first in Kingston to get rid of throw-away carrier bags? London Councils have voted for a total ban, and already Kingston media and retailers are discussing the pros and cons.

The Towards a Plastic-Bag-Free Kingston campaign (www.plasticbagfreekingston.org.uk) has asked the organisers of the Green Fair to discourage stall-holders this year from giving out plastic bags and encourage visitors to bring their own bags, thus cutting down on waste and litter in the true spirit of the Green Fair. The campaigners are also asking local shops, starting with the small parade on Richmond Road, how they feel about giving out free plastic carrier bags and whether they think their businesses would be at a disadvantage if they stopped giving them out.

What do you think?

Planning Bill and local democracy

A CARA resident has alerted the Committee to Friend of the Earth's campaign on the Planning Bill currently going through Parliament and the Committee stage. FoE's concerns are largely environmental, of course, but they also make a case for more local democracy, not less as the Bill proposes, and the right for individuals to have their say. If you are concerned about these issues and would like to take action, you can find out more at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/local/planning/whats_going_on/index.html

Market House Festival, Kingston April 2008

I have been lucky enough to be awarded a grant by the RSA to run a short festival on 10 evenings from 7th - 18th April, in Kingston Market House in the Market Place. The aim is to show how local individuals and community groups could use this historic central Kingston venue to help to improve and diversify Kingston's evening culture, and also to encourage the Council to make it easier and cheaper for the community to use this space.
There will be discussions and debates, talks, workshops etc, open to anyone who cares to come along, and free. My award is enough to cover the hire of the large room in the Market House and some publicity. There are still some evenings available (Fri 11, Tues 15, Wed 16, Fri 18) if anyone local or any of your contacts would like to put on an event. Please see www.markethousefestival.org.uk for more information. I hope some of you will come along to and enjoy the Festival events.
Marilyn Mason, Lower Ham Road

Power Station Proposals Exhibition

Further to the other recent posts, we have been informed that the developers and their architects will be holding an Exhibition of their revised proposals at the Adult Learning Centre (North Kingston Centre on Richmond Road) on Friday 15th February (4pm - 8pm) and Saturday 16th February (10am - 4pm).

Only in draft phase at the moment but we have been supplied these images by way of example. This is a view from Canbury Gardens:


This is an impression of what the "courtyard" might look like:


This view, highlights any impact on the aspect from Kingston Bridge.

Notes from Power Station / Hotel Development Workshop 16th Jan 2008

Venue:
Richard Mayo Centre, Kingston


Present: Michael Squire (MS) Squire and Partners
Paul Harrison Squire and Partners
Nerea Mendicute Squire and Partners
Matt Holloway Squire and Partners (Project Manager)
Mike Spenser-Norris (MSN) NHP
Philip Trim NHP

Kevin Howlett PPS

Hugh Scantlebury (HMS) CARA
Trevor Willis CARA
Richard Mobbs CARA

Glenda Leveson CARA Member
Tim Kimber CARA Member (and liasing with Tony Leitch who was not present)
Clive Howard Royal Quarter Residents Association
Graham McNally Kingston Town Centre Management
Anne Brown Hampton Wick resident

+ 10 or so other interested parties

Kevin Howlett introduced meeting.

Michael Squire introduced Squire & Partners and provided background to company (offices in Kings X and examples of work including Reiss headquarters in London). Looking to come up with alternative form of design for riverside development. Not concerned with elements of affordable housing and size of units. These are details being addressed by the developer.
Rather more, they are concerned with addressing the issues of scale and mass which previously proved unpopular.

Went through options considered and shown previously highlighting desire to keep height away from the river side.

Been developing their original option 6 which is essentially comprised of two blocks - a riverside block (G+4 storeys) plus another G+7 storey unit abutting EDF substation / hotel unit which is planned to have a vertical garden fascia (i.e. green).

A "very" rough schematic of the proposed layout is attached above (we're waiting on some proper graphics from the developer).

Design features a central courtyard with road access from Sury Basin / May Bate Avenue. Road also leads to ramp to underground car park featuring 200 spaces. The "Turn" section of front building has a lower roof line so as not to block too much light from Canbury Place.

Both buildings feature large, glass entrance halls so as to facilitate views from courtyard through to river and vice versa. Front building also features two "very generous" glass access halls, again to open up vista.

Rear building "may" feature bridges (think wharf style developments) to roof garden on EDF substation / hotel development.

Preferred elevation for apartments has been taken into consideration in that larger windows of living rooms face river in front building and courtyard in year. Larger glazing faces predominantly WNW. Correspondingly smaller bedroom windows face rear.

Given planned "mansion house" style design apartments will have long adjoining walls which will be more energy efficient. Materials will feature elements of river - highly finished timber and ripple effect facade as opposed to being bland and flat. To maintain exterior design aspects, interior wooden shutters will be used (as opposed to people using 300 different types of net curtain).

Architects feel the design is not constrained by other buildings in the area and so can be of highly contemporary design and one which people will be proud of.

In addition Michael Squire would still like to consider a tall, slim tower or "camponile" which would be a beautiful and architecturally interesting feature.

Confessed to the fact that the canopy of an adjacent tree would have to be pruned if it went ahead. This would be a landmark construction of some 1500 sq foot per story and rise perhaps to some 15-18 storeys.

Trevor commented that he had preferred the previous proposals but that a camponile might compensate for relative 'blandness' of revised proposals.

Interested to know if there is interest / support for such an edifice.
Generally this appeared to be the case (of those who voted I counted 8 for, 1 against).

Graham McNally commented that he liked different heights of development, quoting good examples from the South Bank.

Michael Squire commented on the roof jewellery which would feature a range of full height and half height spaces on the riverside building. Such jewellery would be somewhat simpler on the rear construction but still present.

Trevor commented on need to review balance of access versus security / crime prevention and encouraged architects to have meaningful dialogue with local police given location.

Trees in Canbury Development would hide most aspects of development form Hampton Wick side but one attendee still said that although no trees would be affected (4m away), she would still object to the proposed height.

Various people complimented the team on the design especially in relation to reduced impact on surrounding areas including Canbury Place, Royal Quarter etc.

Kevin Howlett proceeded to wrap up the meeting, thanking everyone for coming along around 8.45pm.

Power Station / Hotel Site Development Follow Up

Following the rejection of NHP's proposals by the RBK Planning Control Committee last year, there have been a few developments.

After holding follow up meetings with the GLA and the RBK planning officers, two things started happening in parallel. The first is that NHP are going to appeal against the decision. This will, if it goes ahead, result in a public enquiry which they believe will probably be heard by a senior QC sometime during the Spring (residents may have received some correspondence in relation to this).

The second is we believe somewhat more constructive. Given most parties were in favour of a dual use of hotel / residential development but objecting in the main to the design and most significantly the height of the proposals, NHP have decided to bite the bullet and design an alternative scheme.

This will entail most likely leaving the design for the bit covering the substation (which everyone appreciates is a significant technical challenge) intact and reworking the remainder (ie. the bit that most people objected to).

NHP have commissioned a brand new architect - Michael Squire (www.squireandpartners.com), to come up with a revised proposal to run in parallel to the existing one. This is a well regarded UK firm with a number of high profile projects under it's belt. See the web site for details.

In order to not have a repeat of the previous situation, all parties involved have attempted to engage with local community representatives, officers and planning committee members throughout the early stages of the design process. Given our representation and proximity, it is felt that CARA is a key party in such matters. In a similar way, they are keen to engage with the residents group based in the Royal Quarter development.

To this end we arranged a meeting in November 2007 for our Committee to meet with personnel from Squire & Partners, representatives from the developers - NHP, people from the Royal Quarter residents association and any local councillors who had an interest in the project.

Given some initial reticence on behalf of some elected members to attend, we pointed out that given this is an attempt at working towards a consensus approach by all parties concerned, we as an association believe it would have no material impact on any due process in place once (if) any application is / was finally registered and we would of course reserve all rights to participate fully in any subsequent consultation and decision making exercise.

Furthermore, we also held that we did not believe that there was any risk of anyone pre-judging anything given this exchange taking place at a pre-application stage. Once an application is registered, it would be a different matter and the normal controls will come into effect.

On behalf of CARA residents, we asked all parties to be sensible and pragmatic in helping to improve this long forgotten but strategically important site for the town centre and where possible work together for towards a solution of which everyone can be proud of.

It turned out to be a very useful session.

The follow notes are those of that initial meeting and the subsequent workshop held in the Richard Mayo Centre in Kingston last month.

Obviously the notes whilst thorough are not verbatim and we apologise for any errors or omissions.