Cloudesley Association Update – November 2017

1. Barnard Park

Islington Council's park department, Greenspace, has decided to withdraw its planning application for proposed regeneration of Barnard Park. Sport England had objected to the park plan submitted, which led to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government "calling in" the plan and a Public Inquiry being organised for next year.

We are however delighted to report that Greenspace has now reached a compromise acceptable to Sport England based on a 9-a-side football pitch, not a 7-a-side football pitch, as was in its proposal. This means that there need not be a Public Inquiry, and also that the regeneration of the park could take place in one phase instead of two (as was previously anticipated). It will allow also the Council to bring forward plans to provide a community hub building that would include new park toilets.

LBI's press release suggests that the detailed design of the compromise has still to be worked up, but it is to be consistent with the key elements of the plan in the application. It will involve a new planning application and further community consultation.

We will update you as the new plans become available but it seems that this is a positive way forward that will suit everybody.

2. Cloudesley Square Church

Today the Diocese have evicted the Celestial Church of Christ and taken possession of the Church – please see the attached letter which you may have seen through your letterboxes. We are hoping that Susan Speece will be able to join us at our next Association meeting to discuss the Diocese's plans for restoring the church and give Susan residents' input.

3. Residents Meeting

We will be in contact over the next couple of weeks with a date for our next residents Association meeting (which we hope to hold in the school, if possible).

4. Christmas Lunch

After the success of last year's Christmas lunch in the Crown (which was enormously enjoyed by all), Pat and Dirk Meerstadt are organising another such event. This year it will be on Saturday 18th December. If you would like to attend, please let me or Dirk/Pat know.

5. The Bridge ILS

Tiba Sears and Dirk Meerstadt have now joined Linda Quirk to become Governors of the Bridge ILS. Congratulations to Tiba and Dirk – it is fabulous to have our residents taking such an active interest in the school.

If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us (or your street rep) know.

As ever, if you know of any neighbour who is not on the Cloudesley Association e mail distribution list, please pass this e mail on and/or ask them to provide me with their contact details so that they can be kept in the loop.

Amanda and Florence
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association