Vision for Vauxhall - 14 and 15 March 2012

Vauxhall and Albert Embankment are part of an area earmarked for major redevelopment. What should the Vauxhall area look like in the future?

Lambeth Council is preparing a supplementary planning document (SPD) for the Vauxhall and Albert Embankment area that will set out a vision for the future and provide a guide as to what kind of development will be acceptable. They would like you to help them to shape this document. Come along to the event below, meet the urban designers and council officers involved and have your say.



A vision for the Vauxhall area

Open days

Wednesday 14 March 2012 / 3pm to 8pm

Thursday 15 March 2012 / 3pm to 8pm

Unit 13A, St George Wharf, Vauxhall SW8 2LL


What to expect:
Draft principles to guide future development
Plans for a new linear park (in Wandsworth)
Information on how new infrastructure, such as schools and community facilities, could be paid for.

How to get there:
The nearest tube and rail station is Vauxhall. St George Wharf is opposite, on the river just west of Vauxhall Bridge. Use Exit 6 from Vauxhall tube or cross over Wandsworth Road from BR or bus station. Unit 13A is on the River Walk, very close to St George Wharf pier (follow signs to the pier through St George Wharf).

Information on the Vauxhall area SPD is available online. Exhibition materials from the open days will also be available on line. You can also follow us @LambethRegen.

Eastbury House, 30 - 34 Albert Embankment Public Exhibition Wednesday 29 February 5 pm - 8 pm and Saturday 3 March 10 am. - 1 pm

Public Exhibition on proposals for the redevelopment of EASTBURY HOUSE, 30 - 34 Albert Embankment

at Vauxhall Christian Centre, 105 Tyers Street,

Wednesday 29 February 5 pm - 8 pm and
Saturday 3 March 10 am - 1 pm

The site currently comprises an 11 storey office building location within the Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea Opportunity Area. The developers' preliminary proposals are for a scheme comprising residential apartments, new offices and retail/coffee shop uses. The scheme will also include the creation of a small public piazza at ground floor level.

Timescale:

Consideration of responses from public exhibition and further development of proposals - March/April 2012
Submission of planning application - May 2012

A website will be available from early March at www.eastbury-house.co.uk which will contain details of the exhibition boards.

For more information please call +44 (0) 1932 869350
www.stjameshomes.co.uk

Vauxhall Planning 'Expo' on 14 and 15 March 2012

Two open days will be held on 14 and 15 March (3 pm to 8 pm) to kick start a new phase of consultation on the Vauxhall Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (originally consulted on in 2008). The 'Expo' format, which proved successful for the VNEB event in November, will be used and the venue will be Unit 10A at St George Wharf.

The open days will include information on:

* Suggested draft principles to guide future development proposals
* Plans for a new linear park (in Wandsworth)
* Information on how new infrastructure, such as schools and community facilities, could be paid for

The material on show will also be available on Lambeth's website. Lambeth will be asking for feedback, which will help them to bring up to date the draft Supplementary Planning Document.

Spring Mews Planning Application submitted

CLS Holdings have confirmed that a planning application has been submitted to Lambeth Council (16 December 2011) for a £50m mixed-use scheme. Spring Mews comprises:

* New community centre and cafe
* 120-bed mid range hotel
* Flexible business/studio space facing onto Tinworth Street and Spring Mews
* Small convenience foodstore
* 402 student rooms and communal facilities.

CLS expect around 85 additional jobs to be created across the site, and to secure the existing jobs at The Spring Community Centre. Tinworth St is expected to be resurfaced, footpaths around the site to be upgraded and new street trees, furniture and lighting will be introduced.

Approximate Timescale (dependant upon a positive planning decision by Lambeth's Planning Committee)

Spring/Summer 2012
The planning decision could be made by Lambeth Council

Autumn 2012
Tenants vacate the site. Vauxhall Gardens Community Centre move to temporary accommodation at 5 Glasshouse Walk

Autumn/Winter 2012
Potential demolition/construction start on site


Summer 2014
Potential completion

Visit www.springmews.co.uk for further information.

Open Days 24 and 25 November - Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea (VNEB) opportunity area

Have your say about London’s largest area of central riverside redevelopment

Local residents and businesses are invited to have their say about the most innovative area of riverside redevelopment in London. Two open days on November 24 and 25 will focus on the Vauxhall Nine Elms and Battersea (VNEB) redevelopments, providing residents and businesses with a great opportunity to speak with key decision makers and to discuss how they would like to see their local
area change.

The multi-million pound redevelopments that make up VNEB form one of London’s largest
regeneration programmes – second only to the Olympic site. Over the next twenty years major investment will transform the area bringing with it new businesses and jobs, public spaces, homes and leisure facilities.

This is a complex and long term project with different types of improvements taking place over a number of years. The open days on 24 and 25 November will bring the key people from each area of expertise into one location, making it as easy as possible for local people and local groups to find the information that interests them most.

These free open-to-all events will offer – amongst other things:
• the latest information about the VNEB redevelopments
• an update on the Northern line extension that will link the whole area to the tube network
• a chance to learn more about proposed improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, and local public transport users
• information about planned improvements to existing streets and a new linear park
• a 3D model of the whole VNEB area
• an opportunity to discuss the proposals with the VNEB strategy board.

Cllr. Steve Reed, leader of Lambeth Council said: “This is an exciting and ambitious series of redevelopments, and the proposals will bring huge benefits for people who live and work in Lambeth – including a new tube station at Nine Elms, jobs, homes, and leisure facilities. I would strongly urge local people to visit one of these events to find out more and to have a say about the plans”.

Cllr. Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council said: “Vauxhall Nine Elms has begun an extraordinary transformation. Hundreds of acres of underused land are being redeveloped and a brand new residential and business quarter is now taking shape.
“The process will yield thousands of badly needed new homes and jobs for local communities alongside two new Northern Line stations and London’s first linear park. If you want to find out more about these exciting changes then I recommend you put a note in your diary and come to these events.”

The VNEB open days will be held at the Market Towers building, 1 Nine Elms Lane, Vauxhall, SW8 5NQ on Thursday November 24, between 3pm and 8pm, and on Friday November 25, between 8am and 6pm.
For more information about the VNEB regeneration project, visit; www.lambeth.gov.uk/vneb or
www.wansdworth.gov.uk/nineelms

KOV Forum meeting 16 November 2011

Next Forum meeting

16 November 2011,
6.30 for 7.00 pm
at the
Tea House Theatre,
139 Vauxhall Walk,
SE11 5HL

All welcome. Free tea and sample cake

The agenda will include updates on:
Lambeth Libraries – latest position
CLS displays on Vauxhall Square proposals and overview presentation
Northern Line Extension
Lilian Baylis (former school site) and Black Prince Trust – latest

Vauxhall Square Public Exhibition 3rd and 5th November 2011

Public Exhibition on Vauxhall Square proposals on:

Thursday 3rd November from 5pm – 8pm and on
Saturday 5th November from 11am – 2pm
at 80-84 Bondway SW8 1SF

where developers CLS will be presenting their proposals for Vauxhall Square to the public. This will include all available models and presentation boards. They and the architects will be able to talk through all the various elements of the plans, showcase their models, answer any questions and obtain your feedback. The deadline for feedback is 21 November.

Market Towers Redevelopment - Public Exhibition Saturday 17 September 2011

All are invited to a public exhibition on Saturday 17th September where proposals
to redevelop the Market Towers site in Vauxhall will be on display. The site is currently occupied by a 22 storey office tower built in the 1970s. The developers say the proposal would contribute to the ongoing regeneration of Vauxhall and Nine Elms by providing a gateway to the proposed Nine Elms linear park through high quality public spaces.

They say their proposals will create an urban oasis at the heart of Vauxhall, deliver new homes, jobs and local amenities such as cafés, restaurants and shops as well as exciting new cultural and community spaces.

TimescalesThe developers intend to submit a planning application to the London Borough of Wandsworth later this year and the views of local residents are wanted in advance of submitting the
proposals.

Public exhibition
Date: Saturday 17th September
Time: 10am to 2pm
Venue:
Ground Floor
Market Towers
1 Nine Elms Lane
London
SW8 5NQ
ConsultationThe public exhibition will be the first opportunity to view
our proposals and speak to members of the developers' team about any issues you may have. If you are unable to attend the exhibition, you will be able to view the proposals at www.onenineelms.co.uk from Thursday 15th September. At the exhibition, there will be a response form which will also be available online to allow as many
people as possible to comment. You are encouraged to take part form your own opinion of the new proposals and stay informed as the application progresses.

If you have any further questions, you can contact the developers in writing:
Freepost RSRG-LHZA-JULZ
Public Consultation (Cascade)
25 Floral Street
LONDON
WC2E 9DS
T: 020 7868 5531
E: onenineelms@cascadepr.co.uk

Business Meetings - 16 and 17 June

The future of Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea – Business Opportunities

Meetings - 16 June 18.30–20.30 and 17 June 8.00– 9.30am
Two meetings have been arranged for businesses to learn more about the regeneration of the Vauxhall, Nine Elms, Battersea (VNEB) area. The development proposals emerging will transform the area and have positive implications for your diverse business community. To meet the needs of a range of businesses two sessions are avaiable; one evening meeting with drinks and light refreshments and one morning meeting with breakfast.

You may already be aware of the major development proposals for the area over the coming years. The purpose of the meeting is to:-

(a) update you on the developments and proposals in the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea area;

(b) give you access to advice and support for your business; and

(c) establish a Business Group for the area to act as a focus for your ideas and any business issues and opportunities.


The events will also provide an excellent opportunity to network with the teams leading the developments and to meet local businesses large and small in a relaxed environment

Covent Garden Market Authority has kindly agreed to host the event in the New Covent Garden Flower Market meeting room. To attend the meeting you will need to register online at www.wandsworthbestbuy.org.uk/june2011 or ring 0208 871 7693/7807. Spaces are limited to 100 at each event and are exclusively for the business community. We anticipate high demand for places, so please register early. For further details of the Nine Elms Vauxhall regeneration programme visit www.lambeth.gov.uk/vneb or http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/nineelms.

We look forward to meeting businesses, including those running businesses from home, on 16 or 17 June.

Vauxhall Square - Architects' Designs on website

KOV Forum has been informed that designs from each of the five shortlisted architects are now available on www.vauxhallsquare.co.uk. One design is in two phases. The CLS (developers) judging panel may make their preferred recommendation by the end of this month, subject to discussions with the various public bodies.

Open Space and Vauxhall developments

Comments from the Chair of Friends of Spring Gardens:

"Although Spring Gardens is being invested in, it is in practice too far from the new developments in Vauxhall for any of the activities described above."

Just to set the record straight, Spring Gardens is struggling to gain investment of any sort and heavily dependant on 106 monies to advance it's Framework Plan
which only moves slowly and with very small amounts of finance directed to us by Lambeth Council.

Our park is quite literally a one and a half minute walk from Vauxhall Park and in the shadow of some of the tallest buildings in The Vauxhall / Nine Elms proposals
and what Ghislaine (see earlier post from the Oval Partnership) hasn't stated is that these proposals go all the way up to Lambeth Bridge, with Vauxhall City Farm acting as the boundary, which places Spring Gardens slap in the middle of developments between Vauxhall and Lambeth Bridges.

I agree whole heartedly that we all need to fight for more parks and public open spaces in these plans, and our Framework Plan has taken this into account since it's inception five years ago.
We have proposed that the Albert Embankment be reduced to a two lane road (in parts it is eight lanes wide !!) and that the land gained should be incorporated into Spring Gardens on the river side of the park. This would significantly increase our open green space on the embankment side of the Vauxhall Cross Gyratory System.

Indeed the Vauxhall Cross Gyratory System needs to be looked at seriously in these plans and abolished if possible to be replaced by a pedestrian/cycle friendly system that will 'green' the area
and make all our parks more accessible and if possible linked up with 'green' corridors that will encourage better use of parks and less traffic.

Thank you Ghislaine for bringing this issue to the attention of KOV members I support you 100% but please press for improvements for all our parks which
are affected by the Vauxhall/Nine Elms proposal.

Octave Tower, Bondway

Message from the Vauxhall Society:

Please email the Secretary of State for Communities, Mr Eric Pickles, asking him to rule against the building of the 42-storey Octave Tower in Bondway, Vauxhall Cross.

If, that is, you support the decision of the committee of The Vauxhall Society to oppose the Octave. Our reasons (set out in full on the website, www.vauxhallcivicsociety.org.uk and below) are that the structure is so high and so wide that it will throw into shadow the surrounding streets and Vauxhall Park; the Octave will also worsen the district’s existing traffic congestion, poor air quality and overloading of public transport.

Now really is the time for you, your friends and neighbours to act. See below for email addresses and suggestions for what you might include in your message.



Ross Davies
Chairman


How to reach Mr Pickles

The email address of the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government is: eric.pickles@communities.gsi.gov.uk

It would be polite, and effective, to copy in Mr Pickles’ Director-General, Housing and Planning, who is Richard McCarthy: richard.mccarthy@communities.gsi.gov.uk

The same goes for the Minister’s two ‘Special Advisers’, Giles Kenningham and Sheridan Westlake:
giles.kenningham@communities.gsi.gov.uk
sheridan.westlake@communities.gsi.gov.uk

….but it doesn’t stop there...

The Vauxhall Society is apolitical, and we urge you to email any councillor or MP that you think Mr Pickles might listen to.

Assuming that Labour is against Octave Tower because Lambeth Borough Council opposed it, one councillor politician the Minister might take notice of (and so is worth your while emailing), is John Whelan, Leader of the Conservative Group on Lambeth Borough Council: conservatives@lambeth.com
Since Mr Pickles is a Conservative member of a Coalition government, you might also copy in Cllr Ashley Lumsden, leader of Lambeth Lib Dems:
cllrashleylumsden@lambethlibdems.org.uk

What to say in your email
It is not the business of The Vauxhall Society to tell anybody what to say, not even our members, but the points below may inspire you.

The committee of this apolitical society decided unanimously earlier this year to oppose the Octave Tower.

The thing to get over to the Minister and his team is that bad headlines are ahead in the national media for him and the Coalition if he says ‘Yes’ to the Octave Tower.

Why?

• Because there was unprecedented all-party opposition in Lambeth to this monstrous project- one community group after another lined up to oppose the scheme
• The decision landed in Mr Pickles’ lap only because a developer and his battery of expensive lawyers chose to go over the heads of the council and people of Lambeth
• By saying ‘Yes’ Mr Pickles follows in the footsteps of John, now Lord, Prescott and Ken Livingstone, in nodding through another skyscraper Lambeth did not want, The St George Tower – now under construction
• Lots of media people live in or have lived in Lambeth, and newspapers - among them the Evening Standard, The Independent and i group - are following the Octave story.
• A ‘Yes’ decision would be a gift to headline writers, who will interpret it as a pointer to the Coalition behaving much the same as New Labour, and the headlines will have fun with Mr Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ meaning big buildings whether people want them or not
• The phones will be ringing asking local celebrities what they make of a ‘Yes’ decision – would Mr Pickles risk a ‘Woolas Moment’ with Vauxhall’s Joanna Lumley if she hears he’s agreed to a cut in sunshine for one of the poorest wards in Vauxhall because of Octave’s shading of Vauxhall Park?
• Vauxhall Park won a Green Flag Award for excellence for the fourth time in 2010; Mr Pickles’ department sponsors the Green Flag award