Ashmole Primary gets go ahead from DfE
The Department for Education has approved Ashmole's proposal for a free primary school on the Ashmole site. This would be a two form entry school. Although it is outside the control of either Barnet or Enfield council, the situation of the school on the border between the two authorities makes it reasonable to assume that roughly half the pupils will come from the London Borough of Enfield area.
Of course it cannopt be taken for granted that the school will actually go ahead, as planning permission will still be required from Barnet council. We have no idea about the views of those living close to Ashmole but 100 per cent enthusiasm seems unlikely!
However, if the school goes ahead it should provide a solution for concerned parents in the Fox Lane area, either directly or by freeing up spaces at Walker. The focus of attention for all concerned really should now switch to the emerging shortage elsewhere in the South West Enfield area. Just look at all the development on and around the North Circular Road. Parents there are just as entitled to local primary places for their schoolchildren as those "up the hill" in Southgate.
Walker gets a rebuild
Not so well publicised but Walker has been granted funding for a complete rebuild. There is some history here. Enfield council did ask Walker to expand a few years ago. Our understanding is that the school refused to do so unless it was given money for a rebuild. If more primary places (over and above those to be provided by Ashmole) are needed in that area, you would have thought that the issue of expanding Walker ought to be back on the agenda as a far superior option to building on historic parkland
Later update - in the article on school admissions in this week's Advertiser, Councillor Orfan (the responsible Cabinet member) says she is still interested in talking to Walker about expansion.
Historic Parks Survey - still waiting
Yes, everyone is still waiting for the outcome of this. Perhaps we will hear after the election.
Later update - workmen and officials have been spotted taking measurements on and around the tennis courts where the school might be sited. They were asked nicely what was happening. It turned out to be a radar survey of the ground for archaeological purposes. We have been assured by the council that this is actually for the Historic Parks Survey, to see if there is anything of interest (a dead king?) underground. The whole area around Grovelands House is recognised as a site of archaeological interest, so the survey would have been necessary in any case (as it is for many construction projects) but presumably the idea is to see whether there is anything that poses constraints on the positioning of the school.
Even later update - The council has made available the outcome of the primary school admissions process for September 2015. It is worth noting that any applicant living withn 0.406 miles of Walker would have got in. This compares with the 0.175 miles figure repeatedly quoted by SWEAT, based on a year with an exceptional number of sibling applicants. In addition, pupils living (exactly) 0.406 miles away from Bowes would have been nowhere near getting in (not Bowes Southgate Green, which unsurprisingly did not fill up). Even those living that far away from Oakthorpe and Tottenhall would just have missed out. Any one year can be unrepresentative, but don't forget that the big projected expansion of the primary age population in Bowes ward has barely started.
But the article on the Gazette still reports the hope that the Bowes Southgate Green school will relocate to Grovelands, plus the interest in expanding Walker. Then of course we have Ashmole. If all of these went ahead, that would mean that all four of the extra classes planned for South West Enfield would be concentrated in one small part of the area. That would eliminate the Fox Lane "black hole" several times over. but at the cost of creating a much bigger black hole a few years down the line further south. All pupils in South West Enfield should have an equal right to a local primary school.
Park Gates - decision deferred
Various Friends groups have been attempting to engage with the council on their proposal to leave park gates unlocked. The Friends of Grovelands have been particularly proactive and have met recently with Councillor Bond, who appears to be the driving force behind the proposal. The opposition centres on the increased risk of crime in the park (yes, it happens even when gates are locked, as shown by the arson attacks on the Grovelands play areas, but why make it more likely?), the increased risk for those whose houses back on to the park and the likely illusory nature of any financial saving. Parks and open spaces are very different in nature and what may be perfectly sensible for one open space may be disastrous for another park.
Just to clarify, gates which cars could get through would still be locked, though clearly not gates which motorcycles could get through. The council paper on the subject also makes clear that anyone in the park outside its official opening hours will still be trespassing, though goodness knows how that would be enforced.
Again, no firm decision is now expected this side of the election.
Later update - we understand that Councillor Bond has been reshuffled out of the council Cabinet. Through an open gate, presumably. It is reported with some glee on the N21 Online site.
Let the Candidates know how you feel!
What do most of us do when election canvassers come a-knocking. That's right, we keep very still, or we say we're in the middle of something! But why not take the opportunity to make your views on the school, park gates or whatever clear to the canvassers. If enough people say it, the message might just get through.
Local Planning Applications
As we struggle to do all the things a Residents' Association should be doing, one very obvious gap became apparent. We need to be aware of planning applications in and around our area of operation. We intend to maintain a list of current applications. The current list can be accessed by hitting the button at the right. You can use it to click straight through to the council website to view the details.
There is no presumption here that we ought to be opposing all applications but we ought at least to be aware of them.
The most striking proposal in the current list is an application to add an extra floor to Hobart House in The Bourne. This former office block, on the site of the Capitol cinema, is in the process of being converted into flats. Adding an extra floor would mean five additional flats. The existing "tower", which serves as a nod to the old cinema building, would still be retained but its impact would be reduced because it will be that much less higher than the main part of the building.
Grovelands Park - the stream and lake
As many of you will have seen, the stream within Grovelands Park has been deculverted, so it now runs in the open air all the way to Church Hill. The main purpose of the work is to reduce the risk of flooding downstream but the general view is that it also creates a better environment. The stream has been left to find its own course down to the road. Initially this looked a bit of a mess and water was backing up, but it appears to be sorting itself out well.
Some work will also be starting in May at the golf course end of the lake, with reed beds being planted, the bamboo that had previosuly been there having been removed. Reed beds should reduce the amount of toxins and pollutants that gets into the lake proper. Some of these unfortunately come from houses around the park where drainage connections have been made incorrectly.
Firs Farm gets the Money!
Thanks to everyone who voted for Firs Farm to get grants to develop their open space area into a more attractive and wildlife-friendly environment. This just shows what a well-supported and active local group can achieve, so congratulations to the Frioends of Firs Farm.
The Willow becomes The Winchmore
News from the N21 Online site that the Willow is being reopened as a pub - The Winchmore - on 6th June. Food to eb served, of course. The new owners als say thay want to make The Winchmore a community centre, with clubs, classes and events for all, and to work with Southgate College to offer work experience.
Witchcraft in Palmers Green!
I had to check the date on this story, but lcoal websites report that a very old document relating to witchcraft in the Palmers Green and Broomfield areas has been uncovered during development work on the old Southgate Town Hall (Palmers Green Library to most of us). More details can be found on the Palmers Green Jewel in the North website. As far as I know there are no references to residents' associations but there is a reference to annual rituals performed to keep Broomfield safe from withcraft. So more like a Neighbourhood Watch, perhaps?
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