URGENT ACTION REQUIRED! Object to public open space being disposed of for garden bridge development

Lambeth Council has given notice to dispose of public open space given to them by the Greater London Council in the 1980s. This land has been leased to Coin Street Community Builders (CSCB) with the specific condition that it will remain free public open space for everybody to enjoy without long term commercial development. However the Garden Bridge Trust (GBT) and CSCB need this land in order to build a commercial building i.e. 6000 sq ft retail space and CSCB wish to change the terms of their lease to allow this to happen.

This completely goes against the core principles of community values fought for - by CSCB. We must not let our open public GREEN space be taken over by private developers. Write to Lambeth Council using the template below if you wish, or email it to this address: VAMS@lambeth.gov.uk

BE QUICK: THE DEADLINE IS TUESDAY 2ND JUNE

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Head of Asset Strategy

Valuation and Asset Management Services

Hambrook House

Porden Road

London

SW2 5RW

Re: Premises and Open Space Land on the South Bank of the River Thames in the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark

To the Head of Asset Strategy

I am writing to register my strong opposition to the proposed surrender of the existing lease and regrant of a new lease for an extended term to Coin Street Community Builders Ltd.

The Notice published by Lambeth in the South London Press fails to mention that the new lease would include a fundamental variation of the terms, to allow construction of a commercial building on this public open space. The proposed development would involve the loss of green open space and 30 mature trees.

This land is currently enjoyed by many thousands of Lambeth residents and visitors to the Borough each year. It is unique and precious. It represents a very scarce resource for local residential communities in an area which Lambeth themselves recognise suffers from a deficit of public, green, open space.

The open space was also created at public expense. It was passed to Lambeth as a custodian – to ensure it remained open space for future generations. There were very good reasons why the terms of the lease prevent the lessee, Coin Street Community Builders, from developing commercial space on the riverwalk.

It is simply unacceptable for Lambeth to propose such a fundamental change in the terms on which the land was passed to Lambeth, and by which it should be protecting it as open space for the benefit of those who live, work of visit the Borough.

I therefore register my objection to the sale of the land in the strongest possible terms.

Yours faithfully

[YOUR NAME]

[YOUR ADDRESS]

[DATE]