Criticism for planned Waddon development which lacks community hall
by Neil Millard
neil.millard@essnmedia.co.uk
-
MASTERPLAN: How the Waddon development could look
A massive new community development planned for Waddon has been criticised - for not having a dedicated community hall.
Residents got the chance last week to see for the first time what is proposed to replace the now-demolished Propeller pub and Waylands day centre, in Purley Way.
Housing association Hyde plans to build 170 flats on the site alongside council-funded community facilities including a swimming pool, two dance halls, a gym and sports hall.
But there is no dedicated hall for community projects - something Waddon Residents' Association and community group Together in Waddon say is needed.
Together in Waddon's Peter Allen welcomed the regeneration but said: "I have reservations about whether it would answer all the needs of the community.
"They (Croydon Council) seem to be under the impression that a community centre is not something the community has asked for.
"They say this is not something that's been said to them.
"But in the 10 years I have been here Together in Waddon as well as Waddon Residents' Association think residents have been crying out for something that most other wards have - somewhere to come together and run projects.
"I still think it needs a stand-alone community centre."
Tanya Maidens, treasurer of Waddon Residents' Association, shares Mr Allen's concerns.
She said: "We want a community hall and there isn't a community hall.
"They said we can rent out the dance studios and the sports hall but sports events will be given priority in the sports hall."
The delicate floor of the two dance studios, Mrs Maidens believes, would also make them unsuitable.
"I really would have liked to have seen a community centre," she added.
"I think they need to think about what Waddon wants. Waddon wants a community hall."
Mrs Maidens also believes seven-storey flats would stand out too much from the surrounding area.
Other fears she has are that the only GPs' surgery on the estate could struggle to cope with the extra custom and that there may not be enough parking in the plans.
She added: "I also think the congestion on the Purley Way is already bad and it's only going to cause more traffic and pollution."
There was one big positive, however.
She said: "I like the fact they're having a learner pool and swimming pool - they're going to be brilliant."
The council anticipates lodging a planning application in early autumn and building work should begin in the spring.
Comments
by Joy Prince, Waddon
Wednesday, July 29 2009, 4:54PM
“Waddon residents have asked for a community hall ever since a redevelopment of the Waylands site was first proposed. I have asked 'What about the hall (with stage)?' at every Neighbourhood Partnership meeting at which schemes have been presented over the last three years. The previous Labour scheme included one. So the Tory council can't pretend they didn't know. Another problem with the current proposals is the wet changing area. People (including me) may be looking forward to the pools, but do they realise the changing area is proposed to be mixed-sex? Single sex changing facilities are only going to be provided for the dry area, ie the gym side, not the pools. I think that's crazy.”