Bethnal Green Gardens demolition plans spark controversy
Plans for a new bicycle park in Bethnal Green Gardens have sparked controversy after Tower Hamlets council failed to declare that the park is on the English Heritage register in its application.
The proposals include the demolition of the toilet block in the historic Museum Gardens to make way for a new bicycle park, in order to reduce the number of bicycles locked to railings outside Bethnal Green underground station.
Tom Ridge, who campaigned for the Gardens to be added to the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens in 2003, has written to the planning officer in charge of the application, Shahara Ali-Hempstead, to register his opposition.
He wrote: “The application ignores the fact that the toilet block is part of Museum Gardens - and Museum Gardens is on the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
“The proposed reuse of the toilet block site appears to have been driven more by the availability of funds for improving bicycle provision than a genuine desire to provide facilities without destroying the special character of this part of Bethnal Green Gardens.”
You may also want to watch:
The application, lodged in July, is currently under consideration and may be given the go-ahead unless at least 20 people raise an objection by October 18.
A council spokeswoman confirmed that several people had registered their opposition to the plans.
Most Read
- 1 Cops break Covid-19 rules to have haircuts at Bethnal Green police station
- 2 Murder arrest after woman stabbed to death in Whitechapel this morning
- 3 Lovely Day for Aldgate School picked to sing on Billy Ocean's new single
- 4 Police e-fit expert retiring after 15 years at Bethnal Green
- 5 Fury as family homes vanish when Isle of Dogs landlord converts to bedsits
- 6 Covid hero who did charity walk in Bow aged 100 now has vaccine
- 7 Man sentenced after teenage boy groomed on Snapchat to sell heroin
- 8 Two men arrested after police officers assaulted in Limehouse rave
- 9 Covid vaccination hub opening in Westfield next week
- 10 'Racist consultation' protest rejected on Tower Hamlets street closures as Labour sticks to its manifesto
She said: “All planning applications are considered against various planning policies and officers are in the process of assessing the planning merits of the proposed development.
“The public consultation is scheduled to end on 18 October, after which the council will take a view on the planning merits of the scheme, taking into account any heritage issues, representations received and any other relevant considerations.”
Feedback on the proposals can be submitted here: http://planreg.towerhamlets.gov.uk/WAM/findCaseFile.do?appNumber=PA%2F12%2F2233