Sheila Griffin

Amanda was a pupil of mine when I taught at Commbe Girls' School.  I was very honoured to be asked to the wedding.  She looked really beautiful.

A lot of time and regret has and is being spent on this issue.  Ely Court is largest site the council owns which can be used for building.  Building has to be through a Housing Association but the council will retain nomination rights.

The Housing needs in the borough are great, 6,667 on the housing list.  Overcrowding is a particular problem.  In 2006/7 1,015 families needed 3 bedroom houses, only 40 3 bedroom houses were available.  There are 393 applicants wanting a 4 bedroom home, only 1,  4 bedroom house was available.

When Ely Court was demolished in 2001 the majority of residents wanted family housing to be built on the site.  but the time lapse has led to a number of residents surrounding the site to object to the new housing.

 The development is to provide 27 units comprising of 1 x 5 bedroom house, 3 x 4 bedroom houses, 7 x 3 bedroom houses, 3 x 2 & 9 x 1 bedroom flats, 1 x 3 & 2 x 2 bedroom maisonettes.  Although not enough to overcome the Housing problem it will have a knock on effect.

This is Ely Court site, and this is how I see it most times.  I am assured that it is used at times.

Recently the Labour Government has issued a green paper in which it says that councils who do not use greenfield sites, like Ely Court, for housing, will be penalised.  Also Labour Mayor, Ken Livingstone has a policy of building 300,000 homes on 10 years.  The Royal Borough of Kingston is third from the bottom in providing social and affordable housing.

 When I was teaching I was very much aware that many children from overcrowded houses did not always meet their potential.  Recent studies have also shown that children from overcrowded housing are more likely to commit anti social behaviour.

I will support the building of houses on Ely Court even though it is one of the issues which costs me my membership of the Labour Party. 

This is Shelford Lawn which could be used.  Madingley Green is the largest open space and will be used for various occasions such as the 'Fun Day'  Also available is a five aside football pitch and a new play area for young children will be set up in the near future. 

More to come on this issue

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Posted by: sheilag    in: My entries

Modified on August 2, 2007 at 3:47 PM

A great time was had by all at the Fete held in Piper Hall on 30th June, organised by the Cambridge Road Community Group.

Jill Preston, one of the organisers, with her mother and father, and Cllr Penny Shelton.

Some intense conversation taking place here between the new Tory Candidate for the General Election (date unknown) and the Mayor , Cllr Shiraz Mirza and Jill, hanging on every word!

Two fabulous faces!

The late Mr Reg Lever, a resident of Albert Road, has contacted me on numerous times, complaining about the illegal use of Albert Road by heavy vehicles.  We decided to get a petition together to try to improve the situation.  The petition was debated at the Neighbourhood Committee on 19th July 2007.  Sadly Mr Lever died in June,  I attended his funeral on Friday 29th June in Bonner Hill Cemetery.  I had taught Mr Lever's daughter at Coombe Girls' School, so when we met it was like meeting an old friend!

Mrs Lever with other members of Albert Road.

73% of the households signed the petition, the other residents were out or the properties were empty.  No-one refused to sign.  We hope there is an improvement as it will be a fitting tribute to Reg for all his effortes over the years.

This was the final event for myself & David, and it was a celebration of the year for  Cllr Mary Reid as Mayor and myself as Deputy