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It has come to my attention today (and to hundreds of others via Facebook Group http://goo.gl/Afm7E that the iconic Hotel Minhetti at Seaview in Port Elizabeth is to be demolished to make way for contemporary apartments.
This is a building of great historic (art deco) significance and historic merit in Port Elizabeth, and should be preserved by the Municipality as such. At the very least it should be redeveloped by sensitive purchasers only as a conserved landmark of great social, architectural and historic importance to the city of Port Elizabeth.
2. Build a new and purpose built school for Ayr Grammar 
In 2001, before any of the children at the Grammar were even born, all schools in Scotland were surveyed in the lead up to the introduction of the Curriculum for Excellence. Schools were considered for both Condition, and Suitability.
Ayr Grammar was defined as:-
Condition B - Performing adequately but showing minor deterioration.
Suitability D - Bad. Does not support the delivery of services to children and communities.
Since this assessment, the condition has, to some extent been addressed, although not entirely. Some 12 years on however, Ayr Grammar is still defined as Suitability D.
Indeed, it is the only school in South Ayrshire with this grading.
Why is this?
In 2003, South Ayrshire Council placed Ayr Grammar at the top of a list of priority schools requiring either significant refurbishment, or, in the case of the Grammar, relocating to a new site with a complete rebuild. A search took place to find a suitable site, and you may remember The Old Racecourse was proposed. This was a controversial choice, and was subsequently rejected by the Council in 2005. A further consultation took place between the Council, parents and the wider community to find an alternative which was acceptable to all.
In 2009, it was proposed to relocate the Grammar to the old Seafield Hospital site. This proved to be as problematic as the previous proposal since not only was the site owned by Ayrshire and Arran Health board, but, more importantly, the old hospital building was “B listed”.
In January 2012, Historic Scotland refused permission to have the old building demolished, effectively ending any possibility of the site being suitable to relocate the Grammar.
Where are we now?
Effectively, nothing has changed since that initial assessment, over a decade ago. The Grammar is still defined as “unfit for delivery of services to children and the community”. South Ayrshire Council have moved on with other schools, investing huge sums of money in rebuilding and refurbishing them. Meanwhile your children remain in a school which will never be able to fully deliver the type of education seen in more modern schools, despite the great work of the Grammar staff.
What do we want to happen?
We believe that South Ayrshire Council have shied away from addressing the most difficult issue in education in this county. The only sites suitable for relocating the school are politically controversial. We believe South Ayrshire Council needs to start an open and honest debate about the future of Ayr Grammar, and if necessary, make some difficult decisions. Its high time the Grammar children were taught in a brand new school building, fit for the curriculum in the 21st Century.
What can you do?
The Parent Council have created a petition to request South Ayrshire Council reopens the debate on Ayr Grammar.
3. No to sale of 2 acres of land owned by Wheatland Township
Wheatland Township owns 2 acres of land east of Route 59 on 103rd Street in Naperville, IL. This land with an invested value over $525,000 is being sold at an asking price of $395,000.
Wheatland Township lowered taxes this year, does not need this money and we (taxpayers) do not benefit from the sale of this land.
Stop this sale and encourage the Board to hold on to our asset until a time that money is needed or ALL of our tax dollars can be recovered.
4. Save Fulford
The former Penistone Grammar School buildings Fulford, Weirfield and the stables and the site they are situated on are been sold for possible residential development, which would lead to the demolition of these buildings.
These buildings are an integral part of Penistone's social history and must be retained for future generations. Other alternatives for use and conversion need to be fully exhausted before this can be allowed to happen.
5. Say NO to Vale Local Development Plan in Lavernock
Vale of Glamorgan Council have identified an area of land off Lavernock Road reaching to the coast as a potential area to build 450 houses.
We think the land should not be used for housing for the following reasons:
- the road and transport system in the area would be over-stretched
- the local schools are already full
- the land is currently used for agriculture and commercially as grazing for horses
- we want to reserve a green area between Lavernock and Sully to preserve the unique identities of the two areas
- we don't want 10 years of building work
- we believe additional housing, traffic and surface water would have a negative impact on Cosmeston Lakes Country Park
6. Create Recreational Music and Rehearsal Facility
The local community makes the efforts of the local music entertainment industry difficult due to city noise ordinance limitations combined with neighborhood populations.
Police forces are sometimes called to assess these situations, sometimes issuing tickets, at sporadic times when they could very well be performing their civic duties in areas that are more worthy of their time.
The populace are also, at times, disturbed by the efforts of local musicians due to disagreements in genre/times of play/various other reasons.
I am writing about the proposals to build a new town called Cranbrook near where I live. If you do this, millions of animals, birds, insects and even people will lose their homes and livelihoods. I know that it is now far too late to stop the building, but it is not too late to reduce the plans to half the size. This is the flood plains that you are about to build on so your building work will only be destroyed if there is a flood, which there is a high risk of.
This is supposedly to reduce homelessness and to increase the number of people employed, but it will actually destroy more employment by destroying the farmers’ land and the forest where the forest rangers work. If we do need more business jobs, old buildings can be reconstructed and reused wherever possible. As for the homeless issue, I feel that the right way to deal with this would be to reuse old homes wherever possible and to reduce household costs.
Haven’t you ever taken the time to observe and try to understand the beautiful wildlife that live there? The wonders of nature should teach you why it is so important that you reduce the planned area to around half its size. Trees are vital for our survival as they produce life-giving oxygen as well as providing a home to the unique British wildlife.
Unless you at least reduce the planned area, you will never be forgiven by the environmentalists. There may be protests outside the Council houses, letters of hate and disgust, and maybe even economic boycotts of this county. I will not support the Council in any way until you reduce the plans and unless you do so, I for one will never forgive you".
This was how my letter to the Devon County Council read. Unless I get enough signatures here, beautiful innocent wild animals will die.
8. Save the animals and the people!
Picture a beautiful, relaxing wildife habitat which provides a home for millions of animals and birds. Imagine that the same place hosts hundreds of oxygen-producing trees. Imagine that the place also provides a home and livelihood for at least a few farmers and other workers.
Now imagine bulldozers hurtling in and ripping up the trees, running over innocent animals and maybe even injuring one or two children. This is what almost certainly will happen and the Council want to call the new town "Cranbrook". They say that this for "economical reasons". But the fact is that it will do far more bad than good as the farmers will lose their livelihoods.
If any lower individual wanted to do this, they would be prosecuted by law, but the council are not in trouble for this. Why? Because they talk in posh language, they are high in power and may claim that they are "using resourceful land to build a new community for economical purposes" rather than saying that they are tearing down trees and destroying beautiful fields to build busy highways, shops, houses and leisure centres for their own evil money.
They say that it will provide employment, but this can sometimes be achieved by fixing and reusing old buildings. They also say that it will create more homes and prevent homelessness. The right way to prevent homelessness would be to fix and reuse old homes, lower household costs and fund homeless charities such as Shelter and the Salvation Army.
How would YOU like to lose your home and/or livelihood?
Sessions House is an historic building in Selsey, Sussex, England. It was tragically destroyed by fire and of importance not only historically but socially too in that it was a regarded as a 'jewel in the Crown' of Selseys High Street and as such featured on all chocolates, tea towels and the like as a tourist attraction.
The costs of restoration have meant it is not attractive to developers (other than to be knocked down and be yet another eyesore) and so it remained in ruin. I campaigned to keep this listed and managed to retain it's grade II listing with English Heritage.
No grants or public funding are available and I have invested everything I own (and some) to put this grand old lady back together. The rear development offsets some of the shortfall and saves the majority of the main house. I'm not asking for money, just your support so please help me and play your part in keeping our heritage alive. Thank you.
The idea of a green belt was first set out in the 1930’s for a ring of countryside where urbanisation would be resisted for the foreseeable future, maintaining an area where agriculture, forestry and outdoor leisure could prevail.
The fundamental aim of green belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open, and consequently the most important attribute of green belts is their openness. Local authorities have always been encouraged to protect lands around their towns by these means.
We elect our local councillors and normally trust them to abide by such fundamental policies. However, Redditch Borough Council now want abolish the green belt to the north of the town in order to meet housing targets set by the previous government but now abandoned by the present government.
We all want to provide our families with the pleasures of open countryside that is close to our town. We therefore need to fight the proposals being put forward by the council in their building strategy and to get them to listen to sensible views that will prevent Brockhill from becoming a greater housing sprawl.
Anything you can do to support us will be very welcome. Please sign the petition and encourage your friend and family to as well.
More information can be accessed via www.savebrockhillgreenbelt.com
We shouldn't have zoning. They always call the United States the "Land Of Opportunity" but if they won't let us build what we want where we want, that isn't much opportunity is it? Outlawing zoning in the USA would satisfy a lot of people, including me. We should be able to build what we want where we want because:
a) more jobs, less unemployment
b) satisfaction
c) more space in a city
and much more! Please sign today.
12. Save Elizabeth Bradford Holbrooks Stone Panels From Demolition
In 1954 the Canadian noted Canadian sculptor Elizabeth Bradford Holbrook was commissioned by the government to create 8 large relief stone panels for the facade of the Federal Building in downtown Hamilton, Ontario.
These works of art today are regarded as historically significant as they depict the then thriving wildlife and industry in Canada. Images carved by Holbrook include the now endangered species of the Caribou, Grizzly Bear and Beaver as well as threatened industries such as cod fishing, mining and lumbering. All once a vital part of our nations history and still today topics of relevant concern.
Mr. Vranich, President of Burlington-based Vrancor Group, bought the federal building in 2004 for a condo project, but the structure has been vacant since. In 2008 the city took back a $4 million renewal loan after Vranich failed to move on the project. In 2009, he and his company were fined after pleading guilty to breaching fire regulations by using the building to illegally store propane tanks, carpets, mattresses and wooden furniture.
On January 13th Mr. Vranich issued a permit to have the former Federal Building and its sculptures by Elizabeth Bradford Holbrook demolished. Clearly Mr. Vranich does not understand the hisotrical or cultural importance of the stone sculptures created by Dr. Holbrook who received the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian art.
City officials say unless Vranich is willing to negotiate removal of the sculptures, there's nothing they can do because the building is not protected by a heritage designation. The only real hurdle stopping the wrecking crew is a requirement he give the city 60 days written notice of its demolition.
We need to strongly request that the City of Hamilton designate the former Federal Building with Heritage Designation to prevent these works of art to be lost forever.
13. Build A Better Tomorrow, Today
The Christ Holy Sanctified Churches of America, Inc. came into existence in the year of 1910 under the leadership of the late Bishop Judge and Sarah King. Following their succession we have had many leaders but few visionaries. Many discussions have been made about building our own National Headquarters Facility(ies).
The supporting body has given but seen no fruit of their seeds. This is the season for growth and change. Many co-laboring organizations (C.O.G.I.C., P.A.W., Baptist, etc.) have unified to build something that belongs to them... we should be no different- WE ARE NO DIFFERENT!
14. Say no to Planning Application for Salmon Fish House, Peterhead
Ugie Salmon Fisheries have put into Aberdeenshire Council a planning permission to extend on the current shed that they have at the moment to expand their current business.
I understand that this is good for business and will create jobs but I object to the where they are building. That area means a lot to me and to see the area filled with masses of traffic, noise and unbearable smells is a travesty! I just think it would spoil a very nice area within Peterhead that is peaceful and content place to be.
There are gorgeous views of the sea, beach and golf club and I just do not want it spoiled by this. If you agree please sign my petition!! The more people that do the more chance we have of stopping them!
15. Build The Cook County Peace Officers' Memorial In Cermak Woods
The Cook County Peace Officers Memorial has been in the planning stage for over nine years now without any progress.
We now need to apply pressure to those Cook County Commissioners and help educate the residents of cook county in seeing that the memorial becomes a reality.
We need to remember those 675 Peace Officers that gave their lives all while in the line of duty. This includes federal. state, county, area and city of Chicago officers.
16. Do NOT Delay Hillingdon's Building Schools for the Future Programme
In 2008 the Government announced that Hillingdon secondary and special schools would be included in a £150 million programme of modernising and improving our schools and making their facilities fit for the 21st century.
A year ago the council sent out to local schools a brochure setting out their plans on how this money would be invested in improving our schools. The Council said at that time that “We will experience exciting new changes in Hillingdon schools, making them suitable for 21st century learning.” The Council told us that the plan was to start in the south of the borough and include the north of the borough as soon as possible.
The Council should have agreed its plans with the Government by now so that we can secure the funds and start the work. However, on Thursday 18th March 2010, the leader of the council informed secondary head teachers that the Council is delaying agreeing the improvement programme plans until after the election and is laying off the bulk of the staff working on the programme. In addition the national Conservative education spokesperson has said that if the local programme has not reached “financial close” by the election “then it won’t be guaranteed.”
In effect this means that the £150 million programme for our schools is now at serious risk.
17. Hanbury Grove childrens' play park to be made safe and opened
A park has been built with a good standard of equipment, however ONE resident has made several complaints, and this park is now unfinished, been unduly fenced off and has gone back to planning!
No other residents have been consulted and the Council and Builders keep passing the buck. The other issue is the area outside the park which is dangerous. There are no kerbs/bollards outside the park. Children can not differentiate between the path and the road. One car has already driven in to a residents fence adjacent to the park. The road from Kings Street on to Hanbury Grove is like a ramp straight on to the park, this is an accident waiting to happen.
We will not sit back and wait for an accident to happen, we want something done to prevent an accident!We want somewhere SAFE for the children to play.
18. Opposition to Genesis/Acre Lane - proposed development
We, the local community, would wish that any further developments on Acre Lane (in particular the proposed development of the existing Fulham Timber Site - Acre Lane 176-184) would heed the views of residents and instead of seeking to cram more social/affordable housing into this area, develop the area so as to provide additional amenities and services to the local community.
We have already succeeded in stopping BYS building yet more (and unused) storage facilities and seek to stop Genesis from building housing when there is already a surplus of vacant accommodation in the area and a lack of decent facilities/amenities for the exisiting local community (ie shops, green spaces, community spaces, schools).
For info on the Genesis plans please visit: http://www.ghg.org.uk/Building+new+homes/Acre+Lane+consultation/
19. Save Meadows Upper Elementary School
Due to Avondale School District's financial crisis a Building Utilization Study was conducted in the fall of 2009. This study was charged with the analysis of current and projected student enrollment, anticipated per pupil funding, residence trends, demographics, school building utilization, and school configuration.
The recommendation proposed was to close one of the five elementary schools in the district. The result of which will maximize opportunities for student achievement to deliver the best instructional program possible within the Avondale School District.
20. Gate Maintenance a Must in Stetson Hills
The Stetson Hills CC&R's were written towards the aim of protecting our largest investment -- our homes. The Stetson Hills board of directors does not recognize that allowing unfinished wood on the private access gates of the homes in our community to become blackened over time is a detracting element which is negatively impacting our homes' values. Furthermore, the board does not acknowledge nor recognize that this is in violation of the CC&R's, which is the governing document of our association.
Specifically, the CC&R's brought to bear read as follows:
1.27 "Improvement" means: (a) any Residential Unit, building, fence or wall; (b) any swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court, road, driveway, parking area or satellite dish; (c) any trees, plants, shrubs, grass, granite or other landscaping improvements of every type and kind; (d) any statuary, fountain, artistic work, craft work, figurine, ornamentation or embellishment of any type or kind (whether or not affixed to a structure or permanently attached to a Lot or Parcel); and (e) any other structure of any kind or nature.
3.8 Repair of Buildings. No Residential Unit, building, structure or other Improvement on any Lot, Parcel or other property shall be permitted to fall into disrepair and each such Residential Unit, building, structure and other Improvement shall at all times be kept in good condition and repair and adequately painted or otherwise finished.
21. Please Help Give Nia A Home In Cardiff
I am a local Brown Belt Nia teacher, who would like to use a derelict building to offer Nia - health, fitness and well-being classes for all ages.
The building we propose to use has been empty for the last few years and starting to fall into disrepair. It is the old sales building on Windsor Quay, Cardiff and was only granted a temporary planning permission and now a demolition order has been served on it.
The plan is to destroy the building and replace it with landscaped gardens. In other words a piece of grass or flower bed.
We believe that repairing the building and making good use of it by offering small community classes that will improve the health and well-being of local people is more valuable than their plans. Tearing it down would be absurd. It would be a poor environmental and social decision to do this.
Nia is a barefoot practice and over the last 6 years our group has been desperately looking for a safe, clean space where we would be able to dance. We would create a place where everyone would be welcome - providing classes for all ages and all backgrounds. We would dance, share, get fit, heal, inspire and be inspired.
The exciting news is that the building's owners would even donate it to us as they see us offering value to the community and they don't want to tear it down.
The only thing stopping us is the Cardiff Council Planning Department.
Please support us, tell all your friends, help us find Nia a home in Cardiff. Sign our petition to show how important it is that we save this building and use it for a good cause - improving the health and well-being of the whole community.
22. Stop Rutland CC closing successful business
Six months ago Emma Cannings started what is now a successful and popular skin care therapy business at the Stamford Garden Centre. Old wooden sheds were pulled down and a new wooden building put up in its place. The Garden Centre now has a cafe, farm shop, gift shop, butchers, florists and vets. The salon is a welcome addition and is a significant improvement on the old sheds.
The parking at the garden centre means that the salon is popular since the centre of Stamford is become increasingly difficult to access by car during the day as more and more residential estates are developed on the outskirts of the town. A large number of people are also able to walk to the garden centre. The salon has also been made fully accessible for the disabled.
The planning application (originally misplaced and un-actioned by the council) had no objections from any members of the public or the local parish council. However, in a shock decision, they have recommended that the building be pulled down. Their reasons seem confusing and inconsistent at best. The large new offices recently built on the outskirts of Uppingham and developments at the Ashwell garden centre make the decision even more confusing.
Their decision will put six people out of work, plunge the owners into financial crisis and damage the other businesses at the garden centre who benefit from the cross trading opportunities. It seems no wonder that the country is one of the last in Europe to pull itself out of economic difficulties if this is how the government treats its entrepreneurs. Rather than spending time promoting and marketing the business we are having to invest all our time into fighting our own local government who want us to spend money tearing down a building that is offending no one (other than local planners and councilors) and benefiting many.
As someone who has lived in Rutland their whole life I feel very passionately about protecting the countryside. Of course we must have strong regulations against buildings that could damage our beautiful county. However, this business was not built on an area of outstanding beauty. It is a one storey, attractive wooden building that was constructed on the site of some older wooden buildings of the same size. It has significantly enhanced the garden centre for the other businesses and for the people that use it.
At no point did we ever envisage that the greatest threat to the business, at a time when we are struggling to get this country out of a bad recession, would come from our own government.
Please help us overturn this decision and show Rutland County Council that, whilst we appreciate their desire to protect our beautiful county, they have got it badly wrong this time.
I believe that Dundee Council should be doing their utmost to save one of the few old buildings that is left in the city centre rather than leaving it to go to ruin.
I feel it is so important that all that can be done to preserve this great Dundee landmark should be done but sadly at present it is being left to decay.
24. Restore the RAF Yatesbury Airfield
The former RAF Yatesbury airfield dates back to WWI and the only reaming airfield with complete suite of buildings and hangars in the country. The hangars are listed Grade II* and believed to be the only remaining of it’s type in the world.
At the public inquiry, evidence was submitted by English Heritage that established that the site is of international, as well as national, importance. It retains “the best preserved flying field of the First World War period, bounded by one of the most complete suites of technical and hangar buildings of the period up to the end of the First World War period” and “the most complete of all 56 of the Civilian Training Schools built in the inter-war period”. At the time of its construction, this Flying School was singled out for praise by Flight Magazine which stated that “…they have unhesitatingly made at Yatesbury a model school whose pattern few will equal and none will better”.
English Heritage and Wiltshire County Council have spent great efforts to support the restoration of the airfield yet they failed to extend support at these difficult times by relaxing the onerous legal agreement they forced the owners to sign.
Jamal Khanfer has fought and waited 8 years before he succeeded in securing a planning consent, which ensures its survival for future generations. Jamal has sacrificed every thing possible to secure the consent financially, personally and gave up his very promising career.
The project is funded by RBS who have in October 2008 stopped funding the project. The project, however, remains widely supported by the local community and many associations as well as nationally and internationally.
25. Fix Water Pressure for Building 16
The water pressure for Building 16, Willow Creek Circle, fluctuates incessantly to the point where any an all tasks involving water become difficult, from washing dishes to taking a shower.
The pressure problem can be traced to a faulty water pressure regulator, and this issue has been present since before Spring of 2007. Property management has refused to repair Building 16's pressure regulator despite numerous repair requisitions.
26. Save green space, stop building in Hayburn Lane, Glasgow West End Conservation Area
A planning application has been lodged for a small plot of semi natural woodland to be developed into housing. 10 (7+3) terraced courtyard houses are proposed.
The plot consists of an east facing railway embankment; a narrow strip of land between the railway and Hayburn Lane, with around 80 mature and semi mature trees, bushes and natural undergrowth, which is bordering a recognised wildlife corridor running along the railway.
This small bit of Hayburn Lane is a quiet back lane, belonging to the properties of Hayburn Crescent, Victorian blond sandstone tenements, built in the 1880s.
The railway embankment and the lane are used by local children as a ‘wild’ place where they can play and build dens. A lot of people walk their dogs along the lane, and it is also used as a shortcut by pedestrians and cyclists. The trees form a natural screen from the busy railway line. The only traffic in the lane is currently the refuse collection and the odd delivery to the back gardens of Hayburn Crescent.
To make way for the buildings the developers would have to remove all trees, bushes and ground covering vegetation, dig out and remove the railway embankment, which would completely destroy the green space.
There have never been any houses or mews here before, and it would change the back lane into a street with traffic. The proposed courtyard houses are not in keeping with the buildings in the conservation area, nor to the required standard for new builds.
There have been 3 earlier planning proposals, which have been rejected due to the plot’s unsuitable position and size, as well as problems with access and traffic.
Therefore we ask you for your support, and by signing this petition request Glasgow Glasgow City Council Development and Regeneration Services to stop this development, and instead keep the railway embankment at Hayburn Lane as a green space and amenity for the good of the community!
27. Keep Swimming in Forest Hill
Lewisham Council is proposing to move the swimming pools from Dartmouth Road to Willow Way in Sydenham.
We believe that the new swimming pools for Forest Hill should be a high quality design, retaining the frontage block, on the Dartmouth Road site and built in the near future.
The Council is proposing two options to replace Forest Hill Pools. The first is an attractive modern design which places new pools behind the existing frontage block on Dartmouth Road. This design is favoured by local people, but the Mayor claims that it is not affordable and cannot be built before 2015 and maybe not at all. The other option is to move the pools to the industrial estate in Willow Way in Sydenham SE26. This is unpopular with local people, but it is claimed by the Mayor that it could be built soon and more affordably.
What is so good about Dartmouth Road? This site is at the civic heart of Forest Hill and has been the home of swimming for 120 years. It has good transport links and new pools here would give the town centre a lift and help the businesses along Dartmouth Road to thrive again. This plan will reuse the pools frontage block, a familiar local landmark. We believe that this plan can be made affordable if the Council will look at alternative approaches which we can present.
What is wrong with Willow Way? The site is unsuitable and is situated in a narrow side street. Moving the pools away to this site would threaten businesses on Dartmouth Road and tear the heart out of the town centre. The old pools building would be left derelict for the foreseeable future.
28. Prevent Urban Sprawl in Gloucestershire
The housing targets for Gloucestershire over the next 18 years are 56,400 houses as imposed by the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the South West.
We believe this is excessive and completely unsustainable, the need is unproven and that it will cause greenfield and greenbelt land to be built on unnecessarily. The target relies on economic growth per year of 3.2% (very doubtful in current circumstances), and a high ratio of homes per job of 1.5 (it was 1.39 between 1991 and 2004). The target also relies on attracting many workers from other parts of country and abroad to jobs that do not yet exist and it is doubtful could be created.
We believe a local need should be proven and the focus should be on affordable homes within existing towns and villages. As such we believe the target should be substantially reduced.
The brownland first strategy has been abandoned by the RSS and this will lead to the destruction of greenfield sites because they are cheaper to develop and so are particularly attractive for developers wishing to maximise profit.
The resulting sprawl caused by Urban Extensions will cause loss of wildlife, loss of recreation space, loss of the historic character of towns and villages, increased flooding, increased CO2 emissions and increased traffic.
We believe that if the targets are reduced, a brownland first strategy is maintained and local need is proven before building, then the destruction of greenfield sites and urban sprawl can be avoided.
29. No to Inappropriate Redevelopment of St Alphage House in the City of London for JPMorgan
JPMorgan Chase is working in partnership with property development company Hammersons and the City of London Corporation to create a 950,000 sq ft building on a relatively small site in the City of London which immediately adjoins the residential Barbican Estate, home to some 5,000 people, and a Grade II listed building.
If approved, the JP Morgan office block be the largest building in the City and will completely overshadow and wall-in the Eastern side of the Barbican.
Currently the site contains generous open space and public gardens, raised above the ground, with interconnecting pedestrian bridges. These walkways form several access routes to the Barbican, which keep pedestrians away from the noise and hazards of London Wall - a major East-West traffic artery through central London. The proposed scheme will remove these, and create a somewhat smaller park at ground level immediately next to this busy road.
What are currently pleasant and safe pedestrian-only routes will be replaced by busy street-level crossings and streetside pavements. It will close and also build over an ancient city street - Fore Street - creating a large and impermeable block in the heart of the City.
30. No To Building Laundry Mat in a Residential Area
Over the past 6 years, we have lived in a calm and peaceful residential area. Many of our neighbors have made wonderful changes to their homes which has made our community here around Bissell Street seem more lively and friendly. Most importantly violence free. We live in a residential area.
Lets get together and keep it that way. Lets not allow anyone come build a laundry mat which will change it all for many of us. Some of our neighbors would be forced to move if we allow this to happen, our street will not longer be a residential area. We would be exposing ourselves to losing the safety of our community.