CR-Apr2010

Welcome to the April 2010 edition of the Riddlesdown Recorder. This is issue number 190 which, I was gratified to see, gets us to within five years of its production bicentenary. There can’t be many local magazines with such an unbroken record of publication (although, with paper shortages

during World War II, there were then only few and irregular typewritten and roneo’d issues).

Can I particularly draw your attention to my sections below about the Funday on 20 June (see page 5) and the AGM on 12 May (see page 11). Please try to come.

Best wishes to all readers, residents or not.

Brian Longman, Chairman

MITCHLEY WOODS AND MITCHLEY HILL

Once again I find myself returning to the subject of Mitchley Woods.

In my last report I mentioned that Taylor Wimpey had put their substantial land holding of 73 acres in Riddlesdown up for sale. The land included a large section of Mitchley Woods, the two fields off Mitchley Hill and Mitchley Avenue, and a section of land adjacent to Honister Heights.

With a guide price of £535,000, the land as a single plot was clearly beyond our budget. With this in mind the Association entered into joint discussions with the Corporation of London and

Riddlesdown Collegiate with the view of bidding for a key 12-acre plot in Mitchley Woods and a 4.7-acre plot adjoining Riddlesdown Common.

The discussions were productive and we were very close to the point where two separate bids involving the Association would be made. However our hopes were dashed at the last minute when a bid, which we think was above the asking price, was accepted for the land.

We contacted Taylor Wimpey, as did our local MP on our behalf, to explain to them the benefit of this land to the local community and to Riddlesdown Collegiate for educational purposes.

This was all to no avail and the only crumb of comfort was that the purchaser was not a company that sub-divides land into many individual plots, and was previously known to Taylor Wimpey. Five months later and as far as we know, the sale has still not been completed. This may be for a variety of reasons and it might well have been completed by the time you read this report.

However you will remember that the sale of this land was subject to an ‘uplift’ provision whereby 25% of any increase in the value of the site, arising from the granting of planning permission for any non-agricultural uses, would be payable to the vendor. This uplift provision applies for a period of 80 years and may well deter potential purchasers of the land.

The Association is constantly monitoring the situation and I would remind residents it has now been four years since the land owned by Mitchley Wood Estate Trust was put up for sale. Despite this initial sale the land still firmly remains green belt and little has changed.

Since our formation in 1937 the Association has on many occasions needed to defend the open and pleasant aspect of Riddlesdown and with your help we will continue to do so.

WIND TURBINES

Some of you may have seen an article in the local paper where the association

was accused by Malcolm Wicks, MP Croydon North, of being selfish and bigoted in its opposition to a planning application by Riddlesdown Collegiate to erect a 50ft high, 6KW wind turbine on green belt land. It was a pity that Mr Wicks did not contact the Association to find out the background to this situation. If he had, he would have realised that the green belt land around the school is, as you all know, currently under threat from speculative land developers.

Our opposition was not against green energy projects but at the precise location of this 50-foot wind turbine in such a sensitive area, only yards from land that might well be subject to a future green belt challenge. In our dialogue with the Collegiate, far from having bigoted views on renewable energy projects as Mr Wicks suggests, we fully supported a scheme for a smaller wind turbine on the school site but in a less sensitive location together with a range of solar panels. This would allow pupils the opportunity to examine and compare the benefits of different types of green energy systems. The application has now been withdrawn and the association would like to thank the Collegiate for listening to the community.

The Association has excellent relationships with the school and will

be fully supportive of a future redesigned

and relocated green energy project.

NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE PANEL

For those of you who are not aware of the panel and its function, it represents the views of residents on local policing issues. It identifies local concerns, sets priorities and reviews the outcomes.

At its February meeting the panel once again identified burglary and motor vehicle crime as its top priorities. Other issues discussed were dangerous dogs and cold calling. On dangerous dogs it was agreed that the Corporation of London and the Safer Neighbourhood Team would arrange a series of open events up on Riddlesdown to raise awareness of the issues involved. On cold calling there was general concern that many elderly residents can feel vulnerable when cold callers knock on doors, sometimes up to 10pm at night. In May 2007, Croydon introduced a no cold calling zone in an area of Shirley for a trial period of six months. The conclusion was the scheme had been an undoubted and resounding success. Not only had there been a marked reduction in the number of cold callers in the area but residents felt safer and more confident in their own homes. Comments on the scheme included: ‘The scheme is a good thing for the older, more vulnerable residents of the borough’; ‘thank you for the pilot – we hope it continues as it adds to a safer neighbourhood.’

The question is what do you think?

Would you like the Association to explore the idea? Please use the Association’s web site to let us know your views.

RRA AND CITY OF LONDON FUN DAY 2010

If you missed out last year, this year’s date is Sunday 20 June starting at noon. I have checked the calendar to ensure no clashes with England’s football matches at this year’s World Cup.

The day has fun for all the family and last year attracted around 1,000 people who enjoyed a picnic on the Downs and relaxed to the sounds of a jazz band, donkey rides, Punch and Judy, swing

boats, tractor rides, children’s races and so much more.

It is a really great day out and remember the day is for everyone, young and old, and it is completely free.

See Page 11 for times. See you there.

RRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2010

Just a quick reminder – the Association's AGM is on Wednesday 12 May at St. Edmund’s Church Hall.

I do understand that attending an AGM is not everyone’s idea of a good night out but I would urge you to come along.

The Association is here to represent your views and the only way we know what they are is for you to come along

and tell us.

Our guest speaker this year will be Gordon Smith, Principal of

Riddlesdown Collegiate, who will be discussing their vision for the future. It should be interesting.

Brian Longman