Category Archives: environment

Consultation on the future of a vacant Myatts Fields school hailed as a “welcome early step forward”.

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Local Labour councillors have welcomed a new consultation on the future of the empty Charles Edward Brook school in Cormont Road.

The building has been empty since 2019 and has fallen into disrepair, prompting local people to launch a ‘Stop the Rot’ campaign to save it from further damage. Now Lambeth Council – which is now responsible for the heritage site – is asking ‘local schools and other interested parties’ for their views on its future.

The consultation, which is limited to proposed possible loss of the long unused playing fields within the site and is required by law, is the first formal step to decide the future of the building.

Local councillors Annie Gallop and Paul Gadsby have been pressing the council to work with the community and take urgent action to prevent the local landmark from degenerating further. They said:

“This is a first step along what is likely to be a long road which might result in the school becoming homes.

“But we continue to press for wider consultation keeping the wishes of local communities at the forefront of the debate”

The beautiful building is in poor repair in part because the Department of Education delayed transferring ownership to the Council for a number of years. It’s estimated that work to simply stop its condition worsening may cost up to £1.9 million, which the Authority claims it cannot fund on its own.

Myatt’s Fields popular playgroup welcomes this year’s intake — new and not-so-new.

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Myatt’s Fields Park’s Outdoor Stay and Play sessions, based at the Mulberry Centre, have restarted for the new term.

The organisers say they’re looking forward to welcoming four-year-olds and their parents and carers whether or not they’ve attended the free drop-in sessions in the past. Based in the fresh air of the park’s picnic area near the tennis courts, children are looked after from 9.30 to 11.30 pm during term-time.

Time is spent outdoors every day, encouraging children to learn through imaginative play, stimulated by hands-on projects, activities and experiences.

Email for More details or visit the Stay and Play website.

Residents asked to nominate sites for new “community parklets” in Myatt’s Fields

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Lambeth Council is asking local residents in Myatt’s Fields to nominate locations for new community parklets as part of a programme to improve local streets across the borough.

According to Lambeth:

“Parklets are parking space-sized parks that are installed in the kerbside. They can be customised by the community to best suit their needs from a catalogue of modular items, whether they want a space to grow, socialise or rest is up to them. They are part of our ambition to build neighbourhoods fit for the future, where people can live happier, healthier lives.”

Local councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop are encouraging local residents to put in their suggestions for suitable spots for parklets across Myatt’s Fields: for more information and how to apply visit this webhub.       

Lambeth gives the go-ahead for new “rain” gardens on Myatt’s South estate

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Following lobbying from local councillors, Lambeth Council has given the green light for two sustainable drainage (SUDs) gardens, aimed at reducing flooding by planting water retaining plants and surfaces, on the Myatt’s South estate.

Cllr Paul Gadsby pressed for an update on plans for the SUDs on the estate at a recent meeting of Lambeth Council, while highlighting the impact of Tory cuts on the local authorities budget. In response, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, said:

” You are right (Cllr Gadsby) to highlight the government’s woeful record on funding for adaptation to climate change. It is left to local authorities to bid for little pots of funding and lobby Thames Water to deliver work that we know to be essential as we continue to break temperature records.”

“However, we are determined to deliver for and with our residents, and Myatts Fields estate is an excellent example of this. We have commissioned construction of the rain gardens at Myatt’s Fields, scheduling this around ongoing deep retrofit work to properties on the estate, which temporarily requires the green space where the SuDS will be positioned. The SuDS works are now scheduled to be implemented in Spring 24.”

“We liaised with the local resident association and those living directly adjacent to the proposed scheme location at St Lawrence Way. We have updated the design to reflect resident input. The rain garden will be set back further from the property boundaries and will also take on a more natural shape and form. The engagement process has enabled us to develop a more aesthetically pleasing scheme. The local resident association has supported us to develop the Lord Holland’s Way rain gardens. We will soon liaise with residents to go through in detail the works involved and how they will be affected.”

Local councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop have both welcomed the new investment on the estate, saying:

“It is fantastic news that the Myatt’s South estate will benefit from this investment into two rain gardens: we will continue to press for more across Myatt’s Fields.”

Free Christmas Tree recycling service during January

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Lambeth Council is offering a free Christmas Tree recycling service during January for any resident in the borough.

Full details of the service are below:

New rain garden plans for the the Myatt’s South estate – drop in to give your views!

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Lambeth Council will be hosting a drop in event on the Myatt’s South estate where residents can give their views about proposals for a new rain garden near St Lawrence Way and Lord Holland Lane.

The proposals are part of a sustainable drainage programme being rolled out across the borough, in partnership with Thames Water. This aims to relieve pressure on ageing sewage system locally by mimicking natural drainage features including trees and wetland areas. Proposals for Myatt’s South include new rain gardens, with a pop up event being held to let resident’s give their feedback about the plans. Details of the drop in are:

When: Tuesday 25 July 2023

Where: St Lawrence Way

(near the ping pong court)

What time: 11am to 7pm

If you are unable to make this date, but would like to know more about these works or the larger programme, please contact:

sustainability@lambeth.gov.uk or visit www.lambeth.gov.uk/soakuplambeth

Do you have an idea for a “parklet” in Myatt’s Fields?

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Roaside parking spaces in Myatt’s Fields are set to be handed over to residents to be converted into an outdoor community area.

Local neighbourhoods are being asked for their ideas to make streets greener and cleaner as part of Lambeth council’s new ‘parklet’ programme, supported by the Big Shift development fund.

Parklets are car parking bays that are repurposed to become public spaces that can be enjoyed by everyone. Each Ward in the Borough will get one, including Myatt’s Fields.

Residents can submit their designs for their own local community parklet, which they would help to maintain. They could include creating new social spaces with tables and seating, extra cycle storage or new green space. Residents are also being asked to nominate areas where they would like to see a parklet.

Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, cabinet member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, said:

“Parklets are a great way to create spaces where people can meet, socialise, and make neighbourhoods more pleasant by increasing greenery.

“Parklets can play a huge role in bringing people together whether it’s to sit down and have a chat or work together to tend new community gardens.

“We want as many local people as possible to tell us why their areas could benefit from new public space.”

Local councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop said:

“Myatt’s Fields has a rich history of the community driving forward gardening, bio-diversity projects and green space improvements. Across our neighbourhood we have many parks, allotments, planters and gardens that are there because local people care and invest in them – with Myatt’s Fields Park being a particularly shining example.

“With residents’ support we have helped to secure funding and support for a number of projects, including for a rewilding project on the Knatchbull Road roundabout, a new sustainable drainage scheme on Myatt’s Fields South and a tree planting programme that is particularly focused on our estates.

“We encourage residents to come forward with ideas and suggestions for the parklet project: in 2021 we successfully lobbied the Council to refurbish the Cowley Road and Vassall Road junction with new cycle paths, green planters and level accessways. This is the kind of seemingly small scale transformation that can make a real difference to the local area. So, please get your ideas in to the Council!”

Find out more about the Community Parklet Scheme and submit your designs before the deadline on May 28.

Myatt’s Fields communities to benefit from Lambeth’s tree-planting promise

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Local estates in Myatt’s Fields will be among the first to benefit from Lambeth’s promise to plant thousands of trees across the Borough

Lambeth Labour have committed to plant more than 5,000 trees to enhance our communities and help address the climate emergency.

The ward’s Labour councillors have welcomed the initiative and pledged to lobby for more planting in the area.

New trees will appear on the Cowley estate, at locations including near Lauderdale and Garlinge Houses. Other sites include:

  • Myatt’s Fields South estate
  • Vassall Road
  • Penford Road
  • Templar Street
  • Tindall Street
  • Halsmere Road

Two new trees will also be planted in Myatt’s Fields Park.

Local Councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop said:

“We are delighted that twenty one new trees will be planted in Myatt’s Fields: new landscaping and green planting really helps enhance our local community, and, of course, plays its part in addressing the climate change emergency.”

“We are particularly pleased these tree planting plans come hot on the heels of other positive environmental announcements, including the Bees Road plan for the Knatchbull roundabout and the sustainable drainage scheme for Myatt’s South estate.”

“We will keep lobbying for further tree planting across our area in the years to come.”

Councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop

Event this week – Myatt’s South Estate Composting Community event

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Incredible Edible Lambeth and Lambeth Council (with the support of the Community Fund and MakeSoil) are hosting a composting community event on Wednesday 18 January 6.15pm to 7.30pm at the Myatt’s Field South Community Hall (Evandale Rd, SW9 6QG).

The event is designed to discuss future food recycling events or projects on the estate. It is part of Incredible Edible Lambeth’s programme to work with housing estate residents in the borough on community composting schemes.

Full details of the project and the event on Wednesday night can be found here.

Lambeth launches Air Quality Action Plan consultation

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Lambeth Council has launched a new consultation asking for residents’ views on how to improve air quality in the borough.

According to results from recent studies, air quality has been improving in Lambeth since 2014, but as with other parts of London, pollution remains high.

Responding to this challenge, the Council states in its introduction to the consultation:

“Lambeth Council has put together an Air Quality Action Plan that sets out the steps we will take to reduce air pollution in the borough. Here’s what’s included:

  • A commitment to pursuing, ambitious long term air quality targets.
  • Support for most at-risk groups: the young, the elderly, those with a pre-existing health condition, and residents in the most polluted areas.

There are air quality policy areas that are outside of our influence and so we will continue to work with regional and central government on policies and issues beyond Lambeth’s influence.

As part of our response to air pollution in Lambeth, we will be setting up an Air Quality Forum to allow residents to continue to have their say on the work we are doing to improve air quality in the borough.”

You can find out more about the consultation and give your views here.