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Notes - RPWBRA Open Meeting - 12/09/2017
In attendance:
Cllrs. Mary Jane Jeanes, Brian and Gilli Lewis Lavender; The Committee; Association Members; Guests, Rev Peter Kelly, Dr Ruth Charlton, Dr James March and Clare Prodlock.
John Elvidge opened the meeting by welcoming all present, and introducing the Guest speakers.
Firstly, he invited the Rev. Peter Kelly, of St. Saviour’s Church, to speak. He had come along to introduce himself to the Association, and explain what had been happening at St. Saviour’s during the last nine months since he took over his role as priest in charge. He had to get to another meeting by 8.00 p.m. which is why he took first place. The Chairman’s Comment in the October issue of the Guide referred to this impromptu and welcome visit.
We had also invited representatives from the Epsom & St. Helier NHS Trust. We were delighted to meet the joint Deputy Chief Executives Dr. Ruth Charlton and Dr. James March. As well as the Trust’s communications Director, Claire Proudlock. The very interesting video that they brought along, and the information about how the Trust had progressed since we last heard from them a year ago, was well received and covered by the Chairman’s comment last month. Perhaps the most surprising fact to many of us was to learn that the Trust had kept inbudget, unlike so many others.
Proposed Telecoms Mast – Combe Lane/Cambridge Road.
A Coombe Lane resident, Mr. Otto Hoenig, spoke of his concerns over the proposals for a telephone mast in Coombe Lane. He had attended the meeting on behalf of his neighbours to seek the Association’s advice and support in objecting to a proposed re-siting of a telecoms mast from the Rainbow Estate to the corner of Coombe Lane with Cambridge Road.
It was agreed that there were much more suitable sites in the vicinity than one so close to residential accommodation and so visually intrusive. Residents’ were advised to object to the proposal in the strongest terms and by individual letters including suggestions of more appropriate sites nearby. It was agreed that the Association would support residents’ views.
Editor’s Note:
Mr. Hoenig has since advised that Merton had turned down the prior approval application by Messrs Walden for the re-siting of the mast contrary to policies DM D1; DM D2; DM D6 of the Merton Sites and Policies Plan (July 2014), policy CS.14 of the Merton LDF Core Planning Strategy and policy 7.4 and 7.5 of the London Plan (March 2015).
