Agenda item
Stepney Green/Mile End Park Update
Minutes:
The report was introduced to the Board by Bob Bennett, Crossrail Project Manager. He stated that the main purpose of the report was to update the Board on the Crossrail project as it impacts upon the Trust land at Mile End Park and Stepney Green, and to authorise the granting of the necessary licences to undertake the mitigation works as set out in the report and recommendations. The report also seeks the Board to grant delegated powers to officers to undertake any actions considered necessary to protect and enhance the Trust lands affected by the Crossrail project. Bob Bennett also highlighted the following:
• In a bid to mitigate the temporary loss of part of the farm, the council has secured the provision of a new animal barn and the provision of a rural craft centre to make up for the loss of existing buildings on the site.
• All works have been completed and a lease has been granted to the Stepney City Farm Charity which is now managing the site. The cost of the mitigation works was in the region of £2million which is more than Crossrail originally envisaged.
• The land occupied by Crossrail construction will be reinstated before being returned to King Georges Field Trust.
• Crossrail have finally agreed to construct new changing rooms at Stepney Green Park, in place of existing vandalised and unusable ones, and to remove the existing changing rooms and reinstate the site.
• Crossrail have agreed to pay £100,000 for the early release of areas required for the site. This is in addition to replacing and enhancing facilities at Mile End Park as part of the scheme; the compensation moneys will be used to enhance sporting offer through match funding.
In response to questions, officers gave the following answers:
• As well as contributing £100,000 to compensate for the temporary loss of the football facilities, Crossrail will also be providing new changing rooms, coach park, car park space and also a brand new pitch.
• A subsequent reduction in the size of the construction site at Stepney Green meant that the pitch is now unaffected and so Crossrail did not have to stick to the original plans of relocating the football pitch. However, after negotiations Crossrail has agreed to provide the needed new changing rooms.
• Officers have recently met with the Football Association and they have agreed to support a bid for a new football pitch, a 3G pitch and railings at Stepney Green.
• Crossrail is committed to public consultation, and always informs local residence of the work they are undertaking.
• The new pitch in Mile End Park will be completed in a couple of months, the recommendations presented at this meeting was to regularise the activities there.
The Mayor raised concerns at delegating powers to officers to act on behalf of the Board, just in case such actions incurred costs to the Trust. The Mayor requested that he be consulted before decisions are made. Bob Bennett stated that the request was to allow officers to give Crossrail routine permissions to carry out work, but agreed that the Mayor will be informed of decisions being taken.
RESOLVED
1. That Crossrail be granted a Licence to enter on the Trust land at Mile
End Park in order to undertake the necessary mitigation works arising from the construction of the Mile End Intervention shaft on the football pitch at Mile End.
2. That the provision of new changing rooms and other open space works at Stepney Green provides appropriate compensation for the permanent and temporary loss of open space in Stepney Green Park.
3. That Crossrail be granted a Licence to enter on the Trust land at
Stepney Green football pitch in order to construct the new changing rooms.
4. That officers of the council be authorise to act on behalf of the board and undertake any urgent actions considered necessary to protect and enhance the Trust lands affected by the Crossrail project at Mile End and Stepney Green.
5. That the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) be authorised to execute all necessary documents necessary to implement the above recommendations.
Supporting documents:
- 4.1 Stepney Green Mile End Park Update, item 4.1 PDF 118 KB
- 4.1 Appendix 1, item 4.1 PDF 2 MB
- 4.1 Appendix 2, item 4.1 PDF 866 KB