I haven't seen any formal planning application yet.
Someone in our building has kindly summarized the issue and drafted an objection response for those who wish to use it below:
Dear Residents of Virginia Quay
Responding to developers seeking to build a tower block on the rotunda and green space
As you may have already heard, a building developer is trying to build a tower block on the rotunda and surrounding green space, with apartments and commercial activity. You may have had a leaflet from City & Suburban and Concilio. You can find a copy of their note below.
Many residents are very concerned about this proposal, and seek your support to say NO to the proposed development. Please send your response to Consilio on brogers@conciliocomms.com to OPPOSE the development. A proforma response is shown below for your convenience.
This area of the rotunda, surrounding green space and wheelchair access, is an essential part of the Virginia Quay estate, as shown in the original plans and approved by regulators. It is much part of our estate as the Jamestown Monument, or the Meridian. Now, a developer is trying to take it from us.
Previous efforts by speculators to take over the same area of the estate have been refused by planners, as it is entirely clear from the original plans that it is intended as amenity space for residents, and alongside the Thames Path.
The letter from Consilio says that the rotunda has been a marketing site and that it is "underused" and "poorly accessible". In reality, the rotunda has not been used as a marketing site for 20 years, but has been a highly valued amenity for residents of the estate, both for the management office and for community meetings. The area is not underused, and has plenty of life in it. Consilio's description of the area is entirely inaccurate.
The proposed development is a "garden grab" on our estate. If this one goes through, it is likely that developers will have a go at the Jamestown Monument area, the Meridian area, more and more.
We hope that you will join your voice in saying no to the proposed development.
Possible response to the developers - for you to use and adapt to your views below:
To: brogers@conciliocomms.com
Re: your proposals to overrun the rotunda and amenity space at Jamestown Way
Dear Glen Charles,
This area of the rotunda, surrounding green space and wheelchair access is an intrinsic part of the Virginia Quay estate, as shown in the original plans and approved by regulators. Previous efforts by speculators to take over the area have been refused by planners, as it is entirely clear that it is intended as amenity space for residents, and alongside the Thames Path.
The rotunda has not been a marketing site for 20 years, but has been a highly valued amenity for residents of the estate, both for the management office and for community meetings. The area is not underused, and has plenty of life in it. Your description of the area is entirely inaccurate.
Residents are outraged at your attempt to "garden grab" our estate. There is no desire among residents to have commercial activity in the area, and no desire to harm the well laid out design on this outstanding river front.
This is an attempt to take away amenities designed for all residents of the estate. Residents will take every measure possible to save this valued area of our estate.
Regards,
.....
