Members of the NRA committee today met with Transport for London’s (TfL) Head of Property, Dr Onkar Sahota (our GLA member) and TfL tenants from Station Approach and Green Lane to discuss the proposed development of the TfL site which involves the demolition of all of the buildings on Green Lane from Taylor Made (ie the alley between Taylor Made and Lee Garden Chinese takeaway) to Coral Bookmakers and down Station Approach to the station car park.
TfL informed us that they would be signing a Heads of Agreement with a developer, Bride Hall Ltd, sometime in April. The development is for a Sainsbury supermarket, 47,000 sq ft gross, 3 car parks and 167 housing units, some of which will be affordable housing. No provision is being made for replacing the existing premises, nor will existing tenants be given compensation.
We told TfL that Northwood would be totally opposed to such a development and that we would fight it all the way. We asked TfL if they were prepared to consider a development scheme that did not include a giant supermarket and they undertook to do so. However, it is obvious that TfL is intent on maximising the amount it will receive on the sale and that the development, as detailed, will proceed.
The planning process will be fairly long and complicated (a formal planning application is expected to be made by the end of 2013) and the public will be able to make representations during that process. If any Northwood resident has planning expertise that will help us fight our corner, and has the time to do so, please let me know.
The next step is for the NRA committee and tenants to map out a plan of action and then hold a public meeting to agree it with residents. I would hope to hold this meeting towards the end of April or beginning of May; the date will be publicised as soon as it is agreed.
Tony Ellis – Chairman, Northwood Residents’ Association
tel: 01923 821237 email: chairman@northwoodresidents.co.uk
28th March 2013