It was with bemusement that the SHPG read Mr Clarke’s
letter, ‘Morden Tavern defenders were 'naive' to suggest co-operative’, 10th
October - http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/yoursay/yournews/wimbledon/9976178.Pub_defenders_were__naive__to_suggest_co_operative/. In the two years in which the Campaign has been running, he has never
taken the opportunity to share his superior knowledge with us or sought to
influence the future of this community asset, but instead chose to make snide
remarks following the appeal decision.
Despite his interest, he demonstrates ignorance of the development proposals: shops were always in the plans from the start and the Campaign enjoys overwhelming support from local shops and the wider community. In fact, thanks to the Campaign, the plans were changed to prevent the front of the Morden Tavern from being replaced with a shop frontage saving the historical features. Additionally, the Planning Inspector has stipulated that the development must include a bar or restaurant, saving a social space of sorts for the community. The Campaign also succeeded in getting a large reduction in both the number of flats to be built and guarantees that the developer will protect the bats that live on the site.
With regards to our ‘naïve’ plans for a community cooperative to run the site, this is a successful business model being followed up and down the country and our plans were drawn up by experienced business professionals with help from members of the pub trade. We had exceeded our minimum target for potential investors and had three large pledges from local business as well as the potential for a significant low interest loan from the Cooperative Bank. The inspector could not consider our plans as they were not a planning matter.
Throughout the campaign we uncovered a number of dubious practices, through Freedom of Information Requests, showing that the Council had, at best a ramshackle sale process for Council assets and disregard for the residents of St Helier. Despite a refusal from the developer to meet with us we feel we have had a very positive influence on this development for the St Helier Community.
More than anything, the Campaign has shown that the residents of St. Helier will not allow the Council to take them for granted.
Despite his interest, he demonstrates ignorance of the development proposals: shops were always in the plans from the start and the Campaign enjoys overwhelming support from local shops and the wider community. In fact, thanks to the Campaign, the plans were changed to prevent the front of the Morden Tavern from being replaced with a shop frontage saving the historical features. Additionally, the Planning Inspector has stipulated that the development must include a bar or restaurant, saving a social space of sorts for the community. The Campaign also succeeded in getting a large reduction in both the number of flats to be built and guarantees that the developer will protect the bats that live on the site.
With regards to our ‘naïve’ plans for a community cooperative to run the site, this is a successful business model being followed up and down the country and our plans were drawn up by experienced business professionals with help from members of the pub trade. We had exceeded our minimum target for potential investors and had three large pledges from local business as well as the potential for a significant low interest loan from the Cooperative Bank. The inspector could not consider our plans as they were not a planning matter.
Throughout the campaign we uncovered a number of dubious practices, through Freedom of Information Requests, showing that the Council had, at best a ramshackle sale process for Council assets and disregard for the residents of St Helier. Despite a refusal from the developer to meet with us we feel we have had a very positive influence on this development for the St Helier Community.
More than anything, the Campaign has shown that the residents of St. Helier will not allow the Council to take them for granted.
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