Essex Wharf—the end? - Good opportunity

Good opportunity

This is a good opportunity to save Essex Wharf, but it is uncertain what sort of criteria and pressures the Secretary of State works under.

The waterway lobby will be calling on some substantial assistance from the Mayor of London, Transport for London and other authorities in putting the case to the Minister for the wharf to be retained, quite likely for part leisure use as well as water transport facilities.

Fatal twist

While the recent application for taking over Essex Wharf was being pursued by the determined developers, they were also launching an appeal against the rejection of their previous application.

The public inquiry for that appeal has just taken place at the same time as the call-in has been made on the recent consent.

What a muddle! The borough planners from Waltham Forest are attempting to defend their rejection of the previous scheme having a few days before given consent for the recent scheme which is almost identical!

Whose side?

It is not certain whose side the borough is now on, but nevertheless there has been some stout input at the inquiry from the Lee Valley Park Authority and the well-organised local community groups and residents, as well as a full-blown (and rather lengthy) objection from the Regents Network over the potential loss of a strategic wharf.

I am asking—will fairness and common sense prevail?' It is hoped that the recent consent does not completely screw the inquiry up, and that another blow is dealt to Londoners.

Fair and objective view

It now relies on the Inspector taking a fair and objective view and judging the appeal application on its merits (or multiple flaws).

There was a good attendance from locals, group representatives and councillors for Monday's site visit, and it is hoped that the Inspector appreciated the good walk around the area and across the Walthamstow Marshes, which reach as far as the borders of the Olympic Site although he did not venture that far.

Up to nine storeys

The above picture shows the Planning Inspector in the yellow jacket, surrounded by local residents, planners and architects looking across Millfields towards the Lee Navigation and the Essex Wharf site behind the row of trees. The red box shows the basic outline of the four residential blocks rising up from the waters edge which range from five to nine storeys.

However, he saw the cattle grazing on South Marsh, and it is hoped he took in the pleasure of the openness and wide views into the distance that are still unspoiled by the proposed residential blocks of flats at Essex Wharf. He also welcomed a short boat trip.

Del Brenner