Canada Water Consultation Forum

1. Canada Water Consultation Forum Chair’s Annual Report 12 September 2005 “Great things are done when men and mountains meet”

2. “Great Things……. ”The Report • The Forum • The Vision • Highlights from CWCF work in 2005 • Horizons

3. The Purpose, Structure and Responsibilities of the Forum • CWCF was established in 2000 to promote, secure and implement a program of sustainable regeneration for the Canada Water area. • CWCF consists of 22 members representing: Business, CW Campaign, Faith, Tenants, Residents, Voluntary Sector, Youth, Land Owners and LBS. • CWCF Responsibilities include : • The overall direction of development proposals. • Ensuring public awareness and involvement • Liasing with LBS

4. The Vision • Sensitive development of the Canada Water area preserving the natural attraction to wildlife whilst acting as a waterside village center and a focus for the community. • Welcoming sustainable development which will enhance the Canada Water area’s attraction as a very pleasant residential area close to the center of London. • Well maintained parks, water features, gardens and community facilities for young and old alike. • Supporting development directed towards a safer community. • Inclusion of areas adjacent to Canada Water, in particular those surrounding Albion Street and Lower Road. • Promoting the creation of an infrastructure which will reduce traffic congestion and improve access to the Canada Water area. • Rejecting high density town center or intensive high rise office development proposals which would adversely impact on the above.

5. Highlights from CWCF in 2005 • February 2005 LBS & BL-CQ signed ‘The Deal’ • CWCF immediately went in action. As the established and recognised leading group in the CW area they met with BL-CQ to facilitate the delivery of the undertakings in the adopted Consultation Strategy • As custodians of the agreed MDB and associated topic papers plus the community vision, CWCF resolved to devote part of every Forum to reviewing a specific aspect: • Education & Lifelong Learning July 2005 • Library March 2005 • Health (PCT) & Air Quality May 2005 • Transport Every meeting !!!!!. Thereby ensuring that BL-CQ had access to current information relating to the community’s needs and aspirations for their evolving master plan.

6. In-Between meetings CWCF …. • Moonlight strolls with the UDP Inspector, following representations on land usages. • Result : Inspector’s report awaited • Submissions to Site E Appeal. • Result : Appeal dismissed • Input to CW / SPG. • Result : CW/SPG adopted • Objections to Mulberry, Downtown & Site D/B7 schemes. • Result : Applications refused • RYF inaugurated and flourishing. • Result : Regular feedback to CWCF

7. And more ….. • Supported Fisher Development minus copper cladding. • Result : Scheme approved • Increased communication and awareness. • Result : More community collaboration • Ongoing dialogue with prospective developers. • Result : Developers welcome the opportunity to communicate with the community. • Constant lobbying on Transport issues. • Result : Gravity of the situation known to all the agencies.

8. And still more ….. • Lobbied Environmental Agency regarding renewal of water extraction licence. • Result : CW levels maintained • Participated in Enterprise, Fire, Licensing and Safety consultation. • Result : Aware of CW concerns and ongoing dialogue • Fielding local Southwark governance issues to Rotherhithe Community Council • Result : More community discourse • Pauline’s Garden and Albatross Way • Result : Ongoing ……..

9. Horizons • Continuing promotion of the Vision and helping LBS to realise the aspirations of the community. • Working with BL-CQ to achieve, over the next 10 + years, a quality development around Canada Water. • Active participation in the dialogue regarding other large scale developments in the area. • Ensure CW/SPG, UDP & GLA principles are upheld. • Feed information to the Rotherhithe Community Council on routine matters.

10. SOME 2006 AGENDA ITEMS • To continue CWCF’s rolling program of an in depth review of the topic papers to help BL-CQ incorporate the issues identified into their scheme: • Built Environment January 2006 • Green Issues February 2006 • Community and Leisure May 2006 • Enterprise November 2005 • Housing April 2006 • Social Inclusion July 2006 • Youth June 2006 • Transport, Education & Health On going

11. A few closing thoughts ... • CWCF is a widely recognised success story. This is a credit to everyone involved. • As the ODPM says ……….. Planning shapes the places where people live and work. So it is right that people should be enabled and empowered to take an active part in the process. Community involvement does take time and resource but we believe that it has real benefits. Good developers involve communities and ensure they can put forward their own ideas and feel confident that there is a process for considering them. • CWCF is the community. CWCF is unique in that it brings together representatives from all sectors. CWCF therefore has an important, long term role to play in the successful delivery of the Canada Water development and making it a place where we all can work,rest & play.

12. Finally ……. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Margaret Mead. • and from SE16’s very own Poet Laureate …… We will not cease from mental fight nor shall our sword sleep in our hand Till we have built our vision In Canada Water’s green and pleasant land