H O L M E W O O D
H O M E Z O N E D I A R Y
MONDAY 14TH AUGUST.
First
meeting Home Zone Public Participation, held at the Friends Meeting House,
14th August 2000 Matt Davies, Planet Earth presented. Also Present: Alvin Kirby - Planet Earth Sven Vercammen - Planet Earth Leeane Harbinson - Planet Earth Annabelle Dawson - Artist leading the schools
project Monica Rubio - Video Project 27 Present Format
of Meeting Introductions were made by Matt Davies. The
purpose of the meeting was to get people involved, with the aim of starting
theprocess of identifying the most popular and appropriate combination of
measures to improve Holmewood neighbourhood. Four general topics for discussion were
identified on visual boards: 1 Traffic
Analysis 2
Environmental Analysis 3 Children & Routes to School 4
Pedestrians & Cyclists To
aid communication a hand-out entitled ‘HOME ZONE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - Options for
Consideration’ was given to the residents. This enlarged upon
differing areas for discussion. The
residents were organised into separate groups for discussion and group
leaders were allocated. |
FIRST: View looking south west through Holmewood
Gardens SECOND: John and Stephie Rolfs discussing options with
Sven Vercammen from Planet Earth THIRD: Annabelle Dawson, artist leading the schools
project joins the discussion |
Those allocated to group
leaders are as follows; -DAN THOMPSON - TRAFFIC -SONYA DEVI - GARDENS & ACCESSIBILITY -DEREK HOARE - LOCAL HISTORY -CHRISTIN STILT* - CHILDREN -JEFF
THOMAS - WEBSITE *nominated in her absence to lead a group
on the issues concerning children. - To report back over the next
couple of weeks. Overview of topics discussed
within groups GARDENS
& ACCESSIBILITY ·
Some residents
would like to see the gardens being locked at night. Who would be
responsible? Local residents or local authority as key holders. ·
This may deter
prostitutes and kerb crawlers although it is noted that some residents feel
this is not enough of a deterrent ·
Other residents
would like open access maintained with a well lit link area and potential
cycle route. ·
Should the whole
garden have a railing with locked gates or certain areas such as the play
area and a wildlife garden for e,g The rest of the garden could be made
visually and physically accessible by removing shrubbery, planting more
trees, opening up sightlines and introducing lighting as a deterrent. ·
Prostitutes and
their pimps were noted to hang out at the junction of Brixton Hill where the
footpath has been widened. They have been known to confront local residents.
Some residents felt that CCTV may be a solution both here and in the
gardens. |
FIRST: Group led by
Dan Thompson discussing issues concerning traffic SECOND: Group led by Sonya Devi discussing issues concerning
gardens and accessibility |
DOG AREA ·
There is a general
consensus that the area needs to be cleaned. It is a hazard to children and
smells especially in summer. There is a dog bin available but at present does
not seem to be used. ·
Some residents felt
that the area was too large for its purpose whereas others saw no reason for
this area at all. Is there a possibility of having a small dog toilet within
the dog area. Who would be responsible for keeping this area clean? ·
The question was raised
about how many residents have dogs and if they use this area in its present
state. IDEAS
TO TRANSFORM THE GARDENS ·
Dog area to be
transformed into a garden with ornamental trees, shrubs, scented plants and
seating - to be locked at night. This was seen as an area for the older
residents to be involved in the planting and upkeep of the new garden. ·
Water features -
some residents are wary of ponds with regards to child safety. ·
Sound of water. ·
Wildlife garden -
educational for use by local schools and play groups. ·
Sculpture by local
artists. ·
A BBQ area for
community events. ·
IDEAS TO REVAMP THE
CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA ·
There is a general
consensus that parents would like some thing different, stimulating,
educational. ·
It is noted that
there is a local floodlit football pitch in the area and although residents
are not adverse to a kickabout in the gardens, it is felt that this should
not be big enough for older children. ·
Wooden play
equipment preferred for aesthetics and durability. ·
One resident pointed
out that the play area at Wandsworth Common is worth visiting for ideas,
where play objects are set into broad areas and not just concentrated in the
‘playground’ ·
A shed for
equipment to be used for summer schemes and other organised events. ·
A small bike track
within the gardens for younger children. RUBBISH ·
Rubbish is a
problem both in the park and on the streets. Some residents felt there was a
need for street bins as long as they where emptied regularly. LIGHTING ·
The need for better
lighting both on the streets and in the garden was a critical point raised by many of the residents. ·
Lighting does not
always come on at the right time. ·
Lamps are obscured
by overhanging branches. ·
Lamps are not
working. ·
Some residents
would like to see localised light fittings, as well as other street furniture
such as benches and decorative street bins. |
FIRST: Entrance to dog area at north side of garden SECOND: Children’s play area |
TRAFFIC AND PARKING · Most residents are happy that there is generally no problem with parking, with the exception of Holmewood Road and Cotherstone Road. ·
Some residents felt
that parking should remain on both sides of the road with the exception of
Holmewood Gardens. ·
Residents are
concerned that any changes to a particular area will have a knock on effect
to areas where they are generally happy with at present. ·
The majority of
residents are opposed to parking permits as they are too costly, unless
parking is free for residents. What about visitors? Unlimited visitor
permits? ·
It was pointed out
that Holmewood road is one of the first roads off Brixton Hill where parking
permits are not needed. ·
There is a system
in Wandsworth where parking is restricted at certain times of the day for e.g
early morning to put off commuters, with dispensations for certain vehicles. ·
Some residents
would like to see a one way traffic system around Holmewood Gardens with a
turning point at the bottom of Cotherstone road and drop off points for
Christ Church school. ·
The question of
cycle paths was raised. Are they needed if traffic volume and speed are
reduced especially if areas are to become shared surface? ·
Some residents felt
that play on the streets is not desirable but pedestrian crossing points to
the green are to be made safe as a priority. ·
Some residents
liked the idea of integrated planting bays in pavements as a possible traffic
calming solution. ·
The traffic island
at the junction of Holmewood Road and Gardens is ineffective as drivers use
the RHS lane. ·
Some residents are
dissatisfied with the state of the pavements. It was pointed out that if
cable was going to be laid it would cause less disruption if both cable
laying and paving were done at the
same time. |
The problems with traffic is a critical issue
among the residents |
Overall
the meeting was very successful. There was a good turnout and a lot of important
issues raised. Both group leaders and residents were encouraged to continue
discussions over the next couple of weeks, involving residents who were not
able to attend the meeting. Residents were also asked to bring a neighbour
with them to the next meeting. |
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