WOODFORD GREEN: Forest authority 'out of touch' (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WOODFORD GREEN: Forest authority 'out of touch'

8:00am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in News By Joe Curtis

Hospice head Mike Palfreman and Charles Price, of Woodford Rugby Club

A FOREST authority is “totally out of touch” for refusing to compromise and allow safe access to a children’s hospice, it is claimed.

In a joint letter to the Guardian, Haven House and neighbours Woodford Rugby Club hit out at the City of London Corporation after it explained its reasons for blocking a plan to completely resurface an access road to its entire 20ft width.

Epping Forest superintendent Paul Thomson insisted the corporation has already given way by agreeing to the resurfacing of the short route off High Road, Woodford Green to 15ft.

He wrote: “As a charitable trust we are unable to relinquish forest land which has been placed in our care for purposes beyond the Epping Forest Act 1878.

“The conservators have agreed to offer a 50 per cent increase in wayleave width to 15ft with two passing places on the bends, which the trustees believe is adequate to enable reasonable access by coaches and ambulances.

“Furthermore, this offer is significantly wider than the width of the internal drives to both the Hospice and Rugby Club.”

But hospice boss Mike Palfreman and club head Charles Price descibed the corporation’s position as “misleading” and said 15ft would not be safe.

The letter said: “We find [Supt Thomson’s] misleading and totally unconvincing.

“Permission already exists for 15ft but he states that the corporation is agreeable to increasing to 15ft.

“The corporation has already given 20ft to the adjacent high school and far more than that to Bancroft’s School.

“[It] seems to be totally out of touch with the local community and its needs. After all, Haven House serves a vital need and the rugby club has some 350 youth members.”

The hospice and club said they are to complain to the head of the corporation and appeal against its decision.

The Guardian is awaiting further comment from the Corporation of London.

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