Aug 24 2007
Blackwall residents will be able to have their say on the future of their neighbourhood after Tower Hamlets Council gave the go ahead to the Blackwall Reach draft Development Framework as a basis for extensive public consultation.
The draft Development Framework, which is a set of principles and general ideas for the regeneration of the area, has been prepared by Tower Hamlets Council and the government’s national regeneration agency, English Partnerships and was agreed by the council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 1 August.
Blackwall Reach is the area bounded by East India Dock Road to the north, the Blackwall Tunnel Approach and East India Docks to the east, Aspen Way to the south and Cotton Street to the west. It includes Robin Hood Gardens.
A three month consultation with the community will begin, now that the period in which Councillors have the opportunity to call in Cabinet decisions for scrutiny has passed. The consultation will gather the broadest possible range of views and aspirations from local residents and key community stakeholders on proposals in the document, which includes options to either retain or redevelop Robin Hood Gardens.
Residents and businesses will receive a postcard from the principle partners, detailing how they can discuss the contents of the draft Development Framework, find out more and express their views.
A fieldwork team from multi-disciplinary consultants, Scott Wilson, plans to make a home visit to every resident or community group who would like to have proposals in the draft Development Framework further explained or translated. A freephone helpline is now active on Tel: 0800 055 6340.
A project website will also be going live this week on www.blackwallreach.co.uk and a whole community gathering is planned for Saturday 20th October 2007. In October, workshops will be held with key groups such as young people and Asian women.
Councillor Rupert Bawden, Lead Member for Development and Housing, Tower Hamlets Council said, "The draft Development Framework for consultation sets out some options for regenerating the area around Robin Hood Gardens. We want residents and local businesses to be a part of the decisions that could benefit not only themselves but also future generations.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the residents of Blackwall and that’s why it’s really important that people take the time to join in the consultation. Their views are vital in the future regeneration of the area and I want to encourage everybody to join in and have their say.”
John Carroll, Regeneration Manager for English Partnerships said, “English Partnerships, as the national regeneration agency, works across a wide range of regeneration areas, each one presenting different challenges, opportunities and ways of working with our partners.
“At Blackwall Reach, the three month community consultation will inform us how we can use our regeneration expertise to best answer the needs of local residents and key stakeholders to recreate a vibrant, sustainable community in Tower Hamlets, where people will choose to continue to live and work.
At the heart of this approach lies community engagement and our aim is that any regeneration in Blackwall Reach would provide lasting benefits and opportunities for local residents”.
Stuart Woodin from Scott Wilson, and leading the community engagement team, said, "It is vital that local people and their representatives are part of the evolving plan for Blackwall Reach. Feedback from the discussions in this three month period will inform the contents of a final Development Framework, which is expected to be taken before Cabinet around spring 2008.
“This consultation will focus on the community’s aspirations for their homes and the neighbourhood. There are important choices to be made – for individuals, families and the community as a whole. We very much see the community as part of the solution and we look forward to meeting as many people as possible to hear their views and register their needs”.