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Ex-Heroes reveal Junction wish list

Tuesday, 01 November 2011

By Lindsay Burns

TWO campaigners who helped topple a major planning application have put forward proposals to rejuvenate a railway station.

Battersea residents Kate Williams and Cyril Richert picked up a South London Press Our Heroes award in 2009.

It was in recognition of their campaign against a pair of 42-storey towers proposed for above Clapham Junction railway station.

The Our Heroes Awards celebrate the achievements of South Londoners who make a difference to their communities. The pair spent hours poring over council documents, writing articles about the proposals, holding public meetings and persuading local people to oppose the towers.

Their efforts saw MPs and a residents’ group join their campaign.

Plans for the towers were withdrawn in May, 2009 by developers Metro Shopping Fund.

Wandsworth council officers recommended refusal because the proposed buildings were too tall and a contribution to doing up the station wasn’t big enough.

Speaking after the nomination, construction lawyer Kate said: “I think a lot of people have had their faith restored in the ability of local people to influence policy.

“I think the campaign worked. Without it, I doubt the Conservative councillors would have come out as strongly as they did against it.”

Since the application was withdrawn, the pair have asked people how the station and Clapham Junction area can be improved.

They have compiled the collected opinions and published them online. Kate said this week: “In 2009 we were involved in the campaign against the project to erect two 42-storey towers on top of the train station.

“With letters and petitions we were supported by more than 1,000 local residents expressing their objections to the proposal, but also their wish to redevelop the facility.

“We are now concerned that our involvement should not just be reactive, but a positive contribution to a new development.”

Their proposals include building a new station, funded by Network Rail, new office developments and a hotel on the Falcon Road side of the station.

Kate and Cyril are also proposing new affordable housing, improvements to the estates to the north of the station and better health services for the area.

Go to www.cjag.org to see the responses people gave when asked about their hopes for the future of the area.

The 2011 Our Heroes Awards will be held at the South Bank headquarters of sponsors Shell on November 15.

Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd Friday, 24 May 2013