A planned multi-million pound community centre with a focus on providing support for women centre is in jeopardy over claims Waltham Forest council has backtracked on a land deal.
Social Enterprise and charity Rooms of our Own has spent the last 18 months planning and designing a community centre to replace the derelict car park in St James Street in Walthamstow, after it said it was offered the land by Waltham Forest council.
The centre would include a crèche, meeting rooms, a cafe, hot desks and space for a range of women’s charities.
The building would be divided into three areas. One would be available for the public, a middle area allocated to business women and a third section for women only.
There would also be 47 housing units to fund the project.
Rooms of Our Own said Waltham Forest council initially offered RooO the land in 2013.
But when designs were finished, the charity said the council backtracked on the offer, saying it was putting the land up for sale to get the best value for taxpayers.
Campaigner and RooO director Wendy Davis said the charity is still waiting for news, despite being promised an update by Christmas.
She said: “In October 2013 Waltham Forest offered us this site.
“They even said we could pay after the project was completed.
“We got a grant from the Greater London Authority, employed architects, planners and there were very positive emails - they even sent us draft heads of terms.
“Then we got an email in June last year telling us they had decided to put the site on the market.
“I just couldn’t believe it.
“We had a big meeting and the architects said there was no point in carrying on because we will never beat a big developer.”
The group is now considering looking for a site elsewhere.
Ms Davis continued: “This is a fantastic project. Already, over 30 organisations have signed up to use the space.
“It is such a perfect site for us. It really will be awful if we have to move on.
“If it doesn’t go through it will be really upsetting.
“We will not give up, but we will have to go elsewhere.
“For the last year we have been going to community meetings and engaging with residents and businesses to build our network.
“We would have to start all over again.”
The council has been contacted for comment.
Plans for the community centre which group hopes will still be built in Walthamstow
Community centre planned for Walthamstow will be built in St James Street if council offer stands
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel