Some residents have expressed worries that the Pleasaunce could at some stage be sold and built upon by developers. The Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce (FEGP) Committee put these concerns to Greenwich Council. We received a reply from Chris Roberts, council leader, which we re-publish in full below. We hope it will allay some fears.
Kate Powling Secretary Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce
22 April 2006
Dear Kate
Thank you for asking me about the future of East Greenwich Pleasaunce. I can confirm that there are no plans for any development of the Pleasaunce, nor indeed has the Council been approached to consider any plans by anyone else.
Over the past few months, the Council has been working to establish ‘Friends’ groups to support local parks in anticipation of additional resources being made available through the lottery for investment in parks and open spaces. It is likely that the lottery will wish to fund applications from community groups, as opposed to local councils, hence our determination to ensure that Greenwich, with its rich abundance of open space, is well positioned to take advantage of any new opportunities which emerge.
In this regard, I am very grateful and delighted that you and other local residents have reacted so enthusiastically to take up the challenge in East Greenwich and I hope you will view this letter as reassurance that your efforts are not in vain.
In parallel to this work, the Council has been finalising its Unitary Development Plan (UDP). This is the plan which zones all land in the borough, and designates appropriate uses for it. The Plan, once drafted is subject to a Public Inquiry overseen by an independent planning inspector. Once adopted, the Plan forms the basis upon which all planning applications must be judged.
The Council has recommended and secured agreement from the planning inspector that East Greenwich Pleasaunce should remain designated as Community Open Space and therefore not an appropriate site for development.
In relation to any suggestion that any proposed development would not require planning permission, this is simply not true. Similarly, concerns expressed about the financial position of the Greenwich Hospital is confusing the historical Greenwich Hospital Estate charity, which owns substantial land in historic Greenwich, with the press stories about debts within the National Health Service. The Greenwich Hospital Estate, notwithstanding its name, has no relationship to the NHS. Consequently, concerns about NHS debts driving a potential development are equally unfounded. The NHS has no ownership interest in the land.
I hope this clarifies the position and again thank you and your neighbours for responding so enthusiastically in establishing the ‘Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce’. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further clarification and I look forward to working with you in the future.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Roberts
Leader of Greenwich Council and Councillor for Peninsula Ward
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