Building new homes for Marks Gate

It appears that due to ongoing upgrade works to our database software since Monday 21^st September it appears that the link for customers to make representations on the Padnall Lake planning application is not available to all customers. The Planning Team very much welcome all views and representations from neighbours and apologise for this issue which is being urgently looked into. The system in all other respects is functioning fully and all documents on the application file are available for public viewing through the website.

To ensure we are able to receive your comments, we have extended the public consultation period on this application by 14 days until the 11^th October 2020 and would be happy to receive comments by email to planning@befirst.london.

We have now submitted our planning application for the new homes for Marks Gate. And, we would like to thank residents for the hundreds of contributions they have made as a community during our consultation and engagement process.

We have now published final details of our plans on our website, together with an explanatory video.

Our application includes a summary of all the feedback we have received from you so far.

We expect the application to be considered by the November 2020 planning committee.

Between now and then the Council will consult residents formally - asking for views and suggestions.

You can see the full planning application on the Council’s website www.lbbd.gov.uk

The planning application number is: 20/01686/FULL and the postcode is RM6 5ER

The main points of our application

• We plan to build 257 top quality new homes for the Council.
• The Council will let them to local people on the housing list (this list includes 163 families from Marks Gate)
• Rents would start at £159 a week and more than a third are at rents equivalent to current council rents
• The new homes will be among our greenest - with solar panels and high insulation standards to reduce fuel bills
• The new homes will take up less than 20 per cent of the siteWe'll upgrade the remaining green space to create a linear park with a range of uses - from adventure play areas to orchards
• We'll upgrade the lake to increase biodiversity and accessibility
• There will be 124 parking spaces for residents including blue badge provision, plus car club spaces
• We'll use modern construction methods to speed up the building process and minimise inconvenience to existing residents

Full details at www.yourcall.befirst.london/marks-gate

No internet or need a translation?

If you or any of your neighbours need any of our consultation materials translated, or can't access our website, please email their name and address to communities@befirst.london or call 020 3372 0707 and we will send information by post.

The coronavirus means we all have to stay indoors, to protect each other and to protect the NHS. It also underlines just how important it is to have a comfortable home of your own.

So, we're pressing ahead with our plans to build much-needed new housing for Marks Gate. And, we would like you to stay at home but to give us your views on our latest plans online.

We've posted our latest plans on our website and we talk through them in a short video.

We urge you to take a look and give us your comments, suggestions and ideas. You can either post these online or send them by post, free-of-charge. Just address your envelope Freepost BE FIRST (please use the capital letters).

In the interest of the health and well-being of our local community and employees, we have made the decision to cancel the Residents Focus Group Workshops scheduled for 17 March 2020.

We will rearrange these workshops as soon as we feel it appropriate to do so. We thank you for your understanding in this matter.

To be kept informed, please enter your email address under the Stay Informed button at the top of this website, or email us at communities@befirst.london or call 020 3372 0707.

Thank you to everyone who attended our drop-in consultation held at Marks Gate Community Centre on Tuesday 25th February 2020.

We are considering your feedback and plan to present a more detailed design at our second public consultation event on Tuesday 21st April 2020. (Update 14 April. We are hoping to reschedule this event, online. Please watch this space for details).

There's still time to find out more and submit your feedback. A copy of the information we presented at the drop-in event is available in the 'Document Library' tab of this website and the survey is available in the 'Give Us Your Views'' tab.

We apologise but we had to postpone the Residents' workshop because of the coronavirus. We intend to reschedule this soon, and may do so online. For further details, please enter your email address under the Stay Informed button at the top of this website, or email us at communities@befirst.london or call 020 3372 0707.

The dates for the next consultation and engagement events have now been confirmed.

Public Consultation – all welcome

2.30 – 7.30pm, Tuesday 25 February,
Marks Gate Community Centre, Rose Lane, RM6 5NR.

This is an opportunity for everyone to see our first draft of the plans following our initial workshop with residents.

Residents’ workshops - let us know you're coming

Our residents’ focus group will ensure residents can contribute to the planning as it progresses.

The next two workshops are on Tuesday 17 March at 1.30 – 3pm or 6.30 – 8pm.

Each meeting will look at the improvements to Padnall Lake and the open spaces in particular.

If you would like to get involved please let us know which session you would like to attend.

Email us at communities@befirst.london or call 020 3372 0707.

We hosted our first detailed consultation workshop, called Padnall Views, at the end of January to provide an opportunity for local residents and stakeholders to share their thoughts and ideas for the new homes, green spaces, community facilities and the improvements to Padnall Lake itself.

Round table discussions on each theme – in a speed-dating format – helped to ensure that there was plenty of opportunity to give views on each of the themes, and to start to explore some of the design ideas.

Throughout the process, local artist Susanna Wallis captured the discussions that took place with a live graphic picture (see picture).

Our architects are now using these ideas from local residents as they design the new homes and the green spaces that will surround them. Their first plans will be available for all residents to view on 25 February at the public consultation event.

Public Consultation

2.30 – 7.30pm, Tuesday 25 February

Marks Gate Community Centre, Rose Lane, RM6 5NR.

An opportunity for everyone to see our first draft of the plans following our initial workshop with residents.

All welcome!

We have agreed the dates of our next consultation events, and we’re keen for local residents to get involved.

Thursday 30 January: Padnall Views

1.30 – 3pm, at Marks Gate Community Centre, Rose Lane, RM6 5NR.

Our initial workshop will collect your views and ideas for the new homes, community facilities, green spaces, and improvements to the Lake.

Please make sure you register for this event at https://padnallviews.eventbrite.co.uk or phone 020 33 720 707 during office hours

Tuesday 25 February: Public Consultation

2.30 – 7.30pm, at Marks Gate Community Centre, Rose Lane, RM6 5NR.

An opportunity for everyone to see our first draft of the plans following our initial workshop with residents.

All welcome!

A big thank you to everyone who came to our Meet the Team event on Thursday. In total 47 people attended, which is an excellent start.

We will now spend a little time to review the comments and feedback that you gave us discuss it with the architects and project team.

We have compiled a list of the most common questions you asked, and drafted answers to them, and we encourage you to take a look at these. And, if you have any other questions, please do leave them below.

In the meantime, have a great Christmas and we will see you in the New Year.