Save Oriental City Campaign - OFFICIAL E-PETITION
- Save Oriental City Campaign
- Closed on
- Target:
- Ruth Kelly MP and The Planning Inspectorate
- Region:
- United Kingdom
- Website:
- www.saveorientalcity.co.uk
The campaign was very successful, thank you to everyone who supported and signed the petition.
An agreement has now been reached between the developers and the oriental city tenants association.
The Oriental City will remain open until May 2008, please do come and visit the Oriental City!
The Save Oriental City Campaign
The Save Oriental City Campaign was set up in October 2006 by the Oriental
City Tenant Association, which represents an united community voice against
Development Securities Plc redevelopment plan to demolish and reconstruct
Oriental City with no provisions for the continuation of businesses and
community facilities during the 3 year reconstruction period.
What is Oriental City?
Oriental City was set up in 1998 and is the only indoor oriental shopping centre,
which is home to specialist Far Eastern businesses, services and community
facilities. Over the years, Oriental City has become a focal point for Far Eastern
communities to meet, social and gather for community support and celebrations
and is also regularly visited by other BAME communities. As such, Oriental City
has become known as the second Chinatown in London. Heads of States and
Ambassadors have attended the many Thai, Pilipino, Malaysian, Chinese,
Japanese, Korean and Asian festive, cultural and religious events at the Oriental
City.
Development Securities Planning Application
The planning application proposes to demolish the existing Oriental City in
Colindale, London NW9 and replace it with a retail complex consisting of a B&Q
warehouse store; other bulk non-food stores; floor space for a new Oriental
City; 500 residential flats located above the retail complex and a primary school.
The new floor space will be available for the new Oriental City with no net loss of
retail floor space.
Brent Council’s Decision and Referral to the mayor
Brent Council approved Development Securities Plc’s planning application on 21
November 2006. The matter was then referred to the Mayor of London, Ken
Livingston for his consideration. Despite receiving 10,000 objection letters
opposing the development as it currently stands, the Mayor approved the
planning application on 15 March 2007.
Why we object to the plan?
SOCC objects to the Development Securities’ Oriental City redevelopment plan
on the following grounds:
1. No consultation with the communities who will be adversely affected by the
plan
2. There are no provisions in place for the relocation of business and
community facilities, this development will destroy 40 far eastern businesses
and some 800 jobs as well as the community facilities which the Oriental City
provides for
3. With no provisions in place during the 3 year reconstruction period, the loss
to the community will be permanent
The proposal has also attracted objections and concerns from the Chinese
Embassy, MPs, London Assembly Members, the Commission for Racial Equality
and BAME Community Organisations. Former Arsenal Football Club Striker, Mr
Ian Wright has lent his support to the campaign by presenting 5000 letters of
objection to The Mayor of London’s Office on 4 December 2006. To date, the
Mayor has received 10,000 objection letters.
We, the undersigned, call on The Secretary of State for Communities and Local
Government, Ruth Kelly MP and The Planning Inspectorate to Call In the
Oriental City planning application for a public inquiry for the following reasons:
1. This development will have a significant effect beyond the immediate
locality in that Oriental City is a focal point for the Chinese and Far Eastern
Communities in the North London Boroughs and attracts over 10,000 visitors a
week. Oriental City has also become known as the Second Chinatown in
London. In the Time Out Magazine, 21 November 2006, Oriental City is listed as
one of the ‘100 other unmissable experiences’ when in London.
2. This planning application has already given rise to substantial regional
controversy as evidenced by the 10,000 objection letters submitted to the
Mayor of London as well as local, national and international media coverage.
3. This planning application has attracted the concerns of the Chinese
Embassy who have expressed their ‘deep concerns’ and negative impact the
plan will have on the many Chinese and far eastern families.
These reasons satisfy the requirements for the Secretary of State to Call In the
planning application for a Public Inquiry as outlined by the Planning
Inspectorate.
THIS IS THE OFFICIAL SAVE ORIENTAL CITY CAMPAIGN E-PETITION
Thank you kindly for supporting the Save Oriental City Campaign petition.
Please visit our website www.saveorientalcity.co.uk for further information.
The Save Oriental City Campaign - OFFICIAL E-PETITION petition to Ruth Kelly MP and The Planning Inspectorate was written by Save Oriental City Campaign and is in the category City & Town Planning at GoPetition.