Campaigners’ dismay at revival of market plans
Campaigners against the stalled redevelopment of an east London market this week warned that any future plans for the scheme to must take community objections into account.
A group campaigning to preserve the character of Queen's Market in Upton Park said the news that Newham Council is in talks with developer St Modwen Properties about reviving the scheme has increased anxiety within the community.
The plans stalled in May 2009 when London mayor Boris Johnson vetoed a planning application for the scheme, which involved the redevelopment of the market site and the construction of a 31-storey tower block. It followed a long campaign by Friends of Queen's Market which argued that the redevelopment was not appropriate for the site.
Since Mr Johnson's intervention a new market development manager has been appointed, the number of stalls in the market has increased and repairs to the roof have begun.
Meanwhile, developer St Modwen retained its foothold in the market as the manager of the small shops round its perimeter.
But last month the council announced that it had been in talks with St Modwen. A Newham Council spokesman told New Start the two parties were trying to agree on a 'mutually acceptable timeframe in which the project should be delivered'.
The council spokesperson added: 'The council is committed to the long-term future of Queen’s Market. The knock-on effect of the recession has meant development projects across the UK have had to be postponed.
‘We have now written to the developer asking for a clarification on their position and are in ongoing discussions with them, as we are unwilling to wait until 2014 for works to start on a redevelopment programme deemed a priority.’
The spokesperson said that while the council is continuing to work with the developers, the letter takes into account the prospect that an agreement over the timetable might not be achievable. 'We want the best deal possible for Queen’s Market and the traders,' the spokesperson added.
Friends of Queen's Market, which argues that redevelopment would will disrupt trading, force up rents and make the market less affordable for customers, is also concerned about the likely timescale for any scheme and a possible clash with the Olympics.
Secretary Pauline Rowe said: 'If works starts before 2014 there is every likelihood that Olympic visitors wandering the two miles between the Olympic stadium and Upton Park will be greeted by a big hole in the ground or building site.'
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