Radnor Gardens Improvements
Work at Radnor Gardens in South Twickenham has just been completed by the Conservative Council to make it an even more attractive park for local people to visit. All of the works were organised with the help of the Friends of Radnor Gardens to make sure local people’s ideas formed the basis for the improvements.
Cllr Virginia Morris, Richmond Council’s Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, said: “Keeping our parks in the best condition is of utmost importance to local people – we were told this by thousands of residents in our All In One survey and we’re determined to do it right. We have the honour of representing London in the Britain in Bloom competition in August, and we need all our parks and open spaces to be in first rate condition for the judges’ visit, so these works at Radnor Gardens have been completed with perfect timing. I would encourage people to take a look and see what has been achieved.”
South Twickenham's Cllr Clare Head, Chairman of the Friends of Radnor Gardens, said: “The friends have made a very important contribution to the gardens since the group was set up. We have made our views known on a number of projects carried out there on behalf of residents. I’m pleased the Council has worked with us and now we have a splendid park with new facilities which will ensure it provides people with what they really want from a local park.”
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Gifford House Sale Completed
After years of years of footdragging under the previous administration your new Conservative council has confirmed the sale of Gifford House to Churchills Retirement Living.
Earlier, at a packed meeting of local residents Churchills explained their design for the site. Residents voiced their disquiet about the style of the new building which is in a Conservation area. Churchills promised to take on board their suggestions of a slate roofed, red brick building with sash windows. They also committed to look into the resiting of the pedestrian entrance presently at the rear.
As a resident explained "When people get off the bus with their shopping they won't want to trail right round the back of the buildng especially in the winter." Cllr Clare Head also reminded Churchills that it would be a good idea to keep the main entrance away from the Family Assessment Centre at the rear of the site. Churchills then reconsulted residents with a new design.
Cllr Geoffrey Samuel, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources on Richmond Council, said: “I am delighted that this site has now been sold. Any attempt to find a development plan which would benefit the local community has previously come up against a dead end, it has remained empty for too long.
“At a time when Councils must use every resource available to them, it is important that empty buildings are made use of. We have worked closely with both Care UK, who previously ran the care facility on the site, and Churchill Retirement Living, to ensure this sale has gone through. I hope this time we will see the site back in use.”
Andrew Burgess Managing Director of Planning Issues Ltd, Planning Consultants acting for Churchill Retirement Living, said: “During the last four months the design has been refined following discussions with the local residents. Churchill Retirement Living is committed to a collaborative approach towards consultation with the local community and we held two public exhibitions and a public meeting. We wish to continue a productive dialogue in order to achieve a development supported by local people and ensure a successful outcome.”
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CPZ CO2 Tax Repealed
Cllr Clare Head, Cabinet Member for Traffic is delighted to honour manifesto pledges made in May concerning the CPZ tax.
She explained "This was an unfair tax that targetted motorists in CPZ areas that comprise only one sixth of a borough. You had the bizarre situation that one resident would pay tax to park in his road whilst his neighbour in the next road with offstreet parking contributed nothing.
To add insult to injury there were no environmental advantages which was the reason given by the LibDems who brought in this silly anti-motorist tax. It had to go. At a time when every penny counts, this will put money in people's pockets".
