Essex Wharf in the balance

IN A very weak-sounding response, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, declined to call-in the unpopular planning consent for building four large blocks of flats on Essex Wharf in the Lee Valley Regional Park.

So writes Del Brenner of the Regents Network, who is also a member of the London Mayor's Waterways Commission, telling us that the Minister also did not take up the offer of a short trip on the Lee Navigation on the historic tug Major to visit Essex Wharf and the Lee Valley Park to see the scene for himself.

This crucial decision to protect the waterway and strategic wharf from the development which would be a serious blot in our Regional Park, was side-stepped by the Minister without a visit which would have given him an appreciation of the great value and pleasure of the waterway and of London's much loved area of countryside. (The photo shows Essex Wharf in use not long ago, with the Walthamstow Marshes beyond).

Independent Inquiry called for

The Lee Valley Park Authority had used its considerable powers to request the call-in of the ‘flawed' planning application, but its protestations and sound recommendations were disregarded by the Minister. The call-in by government would have resulted in an independent inquiry which would have given the Park Authority, local groups and ward councillors the opportunity of revealing what they saw as the weaknesses and incongruity of the proposed densely packed residential development.

This decision by Eric Pickles 'only underlines the lack of caring for our natural environment that has become endemic amongst authorities.' says Hackney Councillor Ian Rathbone. He goes on to accuse the government of hypocrisy for praising the Olympics just down the road, and how much benefit it will bring to the community whilst in the Regional Park the government 'is allowing the destruction of our landscape to the detriment of future generations'.

The threat looms large

There is anger and disappointment that after years of battling to save Essex Wharf the authorities have now given way to pressure from a property developer, of all people. This current development project follows a long line of similar applications at Essex Wharf which have been unsuccessful due to their serious negative impact on the area.

At a recent Public Inquiry on a previous application the inspector criticised the scale and bulk of the residential development on the wharf and dismissed the appeal by the developers. Why an almost identical application is now approved is a mystery to the numerous and active groups and authorities sticking up for the Lee Valley Park.

Really angry

A spokesman for the Lee Valley Federation complained:

"People are really angry about the way the authorities are betraying the ideals which led to the creation of this green lung for London 45 years ago. If the Essex Wharf high-rise flats go up, it's a green light for other developers who will use this as a precedent."

(The artist's impression shows a proposal for huge blocks high above the trees and looming over the marshes and open parkland).

It is no understatement that there is fear for the Lee Valley Regional Park with Cllr Ian Rathbone adding:

"We can only hope that the Park will be given more local and national support to protect the little of what's left of our green environment and landscape."

Challenge in the High Court

Although they had thought they had seen off the threat to Essex Wharf, the locals and park authorities are now faced with the only route open to them for a rescue job, that is by making a legal challenge through a Judicial Review in the High Court, otherwise we end up with gross blocks of flats which will blight the environment of the Lee Valley Park and Lee Navigation for ever more.

The Judicial Review will give the option of challenging the Waltham Forest Planning Committee's unreasonable and flawed consent for the four blocks of flats, or slamming the government's feeble and inadequate refusal to intervene in the protection of Essex Wharf and the Lee Valley Regional Park. Or both could be challenged.

Judging by the mood of the locals, councillors and authorities as well as waterway groups including CBOA Commercial Boat Operators Association and the Regents Network, they are up for the challenge.

Historic tug revisits Essex Wharf

The well-known historic 42ft dock tug Major revisited Essex Wharf at Lea Bridge recently on a nostalgic trip up the Lee Navigation. Over the years it had towed hundreds of trains of barges to numerous destinations on the busy navigation, and at the time when Essex Wharf was a hive of activity.

Interest in reviving the wharf also comes from the crew of Major, and the tug was skippered on the visit to Essex Wharf by James Bill of busy coal boat Archimedes from the Candle Bridge Carrying Co, and Michael Askin of the magnificent Royalty Class working boat Victoria. (The photo is of the tug at Essex Wharf.)

Standing on the back deck viewing the unused and deserted wharf is experienced waterman Jamie Spinks who served his apprenticeship on Major when it was heavily engaged in the construction period of Canary Wharf in London's Docklands.

Happy thoughts

Jamie may also have been thinking of the regular runs made by the tug up the Lee Navigation when Essex Wharf was very alive, when he commented:

"Those were the days when London's canals were made good use of, and there is every reason for bringing them back into use again. It is a mystery that it has not happened."

Apart from ruining the pleasure of a cruise up the waterway having four huge blocks of flats on the site of Essex Wharf rather than a view of Walthamstow Marshes, it would be nonsensical not to use it as a wharf again. The waterway is in working order, the roads are chocker, and the environmental benefits of using water transport are well known. Jamie is not the only one who thinks it would make good sense.

A very strong case is being made for Essex Wharf to be brought back into use for water freight, as well as a leisure amenity and an active asset for the Regional Park's waterways.

Del Brenner