Our partners at Living Streets, formally the Pedestrian Association, have undertaken an audit in a section of Ilford called the Commonwealth Estate with the aim of promoting how it could be improved. Reading their report is a very sad experience. Ilford, with its once beautiful double fronted Victorian homes, has been destroyed over the last half century.
Parking in front gardens has lead to the removal of any green or pleasant frontages, pavements are cracked, there are no street trees and the rise of rented accommodation and absentee landlords who turn large homes into small flats has left the area scarred and barren, void of its once pleasant street scene.
This is what we are fighting against, and why the Society exists. Without the Society keeping an eagle eye on what developers are doing, it could all so easily happen to us!
The Society campaigns for good quality, and sympathetic development that seek to preserve and enhance our community. We lobby the Council for good quality public realm improvements, such a better lights and paving, and seek to aid developers and businesses with advice on how best to renovate our historic buildings.
Don’t let this happen to Wanstead. Join the Society and help support us protect our community. Wanstead is worth keeping.
2 Comments on "This is what we are fighting against – this is why we exist!"
I whole heartedly agree residents should to take action to ensure we preserve the character of Wanstead and prevent if from descending in to yet another charmless and neglected plastic/concrete nightmare.
I also believe a lot more could be done with our high street. We should be encouraging high quality independent shops, restaurants and bars to set up. Twenty years ago Marylebone High Street was a tired, run down and largely ignored looking high street. Today it is widely regarded as one of the best destination high streets in London with a wide and impressive selection of eateries, deli’s, bars/gastro-pubs, house ware shops and clothing retailers. This unique and picturesque high street provides all of this while at the same time respecting the fact it is housed in a residential area and so avoids any unruly after dark behaviour by generally closing down around 11pm.
I can see the demographic of Wanstead changing and with it the budgets and demands from local residents. Our high street should be exploiting these changes and challenging this new wave of discerning customers to think twice before they head in to central London for a night out or brunch with friends. It would be great to have a mini Marylebone High Street right here on our door step!
Hi Wanstonian. I’d like to respond to your mctmenos.1) Jennings Bet was not chased out of the High Street by anybody. How would that even be possible?2) The look of the high street benefits everyone in the long run, including the businesses themselves. Shops like the British Heart Foundation and other chains will modify their designs when asked to by the local authority. It happens in other conservation areas around the country, which is why people flock to those high streets. It actually makes their economies stronger and attracts more businesses.As residents of Wanstead, we are entitled to do what we can to protect its character it’s unique character is one of the main reasons people move here.