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Subject: Urgent: Bow Wharf
From: EAST END WATERWAY GROUP Date: 18 June 2013 Richard Parry Chief Executive, Canal and River Trust Station House 500 Elder Gate Milton Keynes MK9 1BB 18 June 2013 Dear Mr Parry, Bow Wharf, Regent's Canal You may be aware of the widespread concern about a planning application to develop Bow Wharf, submitted in 2011 by British Waterways and re-submitted in 2013 by the Canal and River Trust. On Wednesday night (19 June) this application goes before the Tower Hamlets planning committee. The three proposed residential buildings due to their height, bulk, style and position will change forever the special historic character and unique open setting of this junction. They will dominate the waterway and towpaths (please refer to the photographs attached). The site is in a conservation area containing three unique heritage assets: the listed Stop Lock Bridge, locally listed warehouse and locally listed former paint factory. The Stop Lock Bridge itself is threatened by likely use by works traffic in spite of its 3 tonne weight limit. As well as the local residents who use and appreciate Bow Wharf and the basin, all those who walk along the canal here will have a diminished experience. Instead, the site should exemplify the idea of "London's greatest park" and anticipate increased public interest when the Hertford Union Canal becomes an important route to the revived Olympic site. Growing numbers of people are very alarmed that the custodians of the waterways are behind this ugly scheme, though we do not dispute the need to raise funds. We feel that the Trust should urgently review how it generates income where this is at the expense of the canal environment and the potential loss of public support for the Trust. We strongly urge you to take steps to withdraw the application and revise the development at an appropriate density, scale and style, respecting the historic waterway location and natural environment of Bow Wharf. That move would be widely supported, generating much goodwill towards the Trust for the future. Yours sincerely, Lucy Rogers, Tower Hamlets resident for and on behalf of the East End Waterway Group CC Simon Salem, Canal and River Trust Paul Dimoldenberg, Quatro Sir Brian Fender, London Waterways Partnership Richard Rutter, Enterprise Manager, Canal and River Trust James Lazarus, Property Development, Canal and River Trust Jon Guest, Canal and River Trust Fran Read, Press officer, Canal and River Trust Sorwar Ahmed, Canal and River Trust Nigel Crowe, Heritage, Canal and River Trust Florence Salberter, Heritage, Canal and River Trust Andrew Denny, Waterways World Jennie Jones, Assembly Member, GLA Nicky Gavron, Assembly Member, GLA Natalie Bennett, The Green Party Jim Fitzpatrick MP East End Waterway Group PATRON JIM FITZPATRICK MP POPLAR AND LIMEHOUSE Local residents, schools, community groups, amenity societies and businesses working with British Waterways*, Tower Hamlets Council and others for the protection and beneficial use of the six mile waterway 'ring', its historic buildings, structures and habitats. *Now Canal and River Trust Address: 7, Shepton Houses, Welwyn Street, London E2 OJN Contact Tel: 07903 975 473 Bow Wharf images.pdf |