Chris makes crystal clear demands on ice rink (Chris Nicholson)

Chris makes crystal clear demands on ice rink

March 24, 2010 7:00 PM

Streatham residents have been waiting a very long time for progress on the Streatham Hub development, and were hopeful that this month they would see a definite proposal for how the Hub development would proceed.

The Streatham Hub proposals announced by Tesco and Lambeth Council last week involve a 50% increase in the size of Tesco's store and the demolition of the existing ice rink, before the new one is built - both very substantial changes from the existing plans.

Tesco are saying that they will build a temporary ice rink whilst the new one is built. These plans are however very sketchy. It is not clear where or how big the new ice rink would be, or whether the facilities provided would meet the wide-ranging needs of the different types of user - from hockey players to dancers to casual users. For swimmers there is little on offer, and the recent suggestion of a temporary pool looks increasingly unlikely.

Our fear is that these proposals have been cobbled together to get Labour through the next few weeks until the elections, when the story will change again. I hope we are wrong. Streatham residents have lost the absolute assurance of continuity of ice and Tesco have got the Council's agreement to a store which is 50% bigger. And we are really concerned that once permission is given for a temporary ice rink on Streatham Common it will end up being there permanently.

The Council need to urgently consult local residents about the suggested use of Streatham Common for a temporary ice rink and look for alternative sites.

Liberal Democrat Councillors are making four demands:

Much more detail about the nature of the new proposals;
That the Council initiate the process for a Compulsory Purchase Order so that there is a Plan B if satisfactory guarantees cannot be obtained from Tesco;
The Council urgently consult local residents about the suggested use of Streatham Common for a temporary ice rink;
And finally that the Council looks at alternative sites for a temporary rink, not just sites already in community ownership.