Hi Burgess Park Petition supporters, 

It has now been 3.5 years since Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council promised us that they would pursue action to integrate this important section of Burgess Park MOL into the park. 

We wrote to Cllr Williams, a few weeks ago, to get an update on the promise, as the Friends of Burgess Park had been told by an officer that the promise was not being pursued. 

Cllr Williams has not replied, so we contacted the St Giles Ward councillors, who encouragagingly replied with their continued support. Email is copied below for your information. 

Cllr Williams email is kieron.williams@southwark.gov.uk if you would like to send your polite positive support for him acting on his promise asap. 

The issue has become more urgent, in light of the new government and London Mayor's announcement that they wish to build on Green Belt "grey belt" sites. There are many other genuine brownfield sites in the area suitable for urgent housing needs. But this site within the park's MOL must not be built on, but landscaped finally for the park. 

Many thanks for your continued support for this unresolved threat to crucial entrance to Burgess Park and its adjacent wildlife site. 

best wishes 
Donnachadh 

Donnachadh McCarthy FRSA
pp Burgess Park Action Group 

Hi Donnachadh,

Good to hear from you. Yes I remember those times with great affection! 

I can’t reply on Kieron’s behalf but as far as the 3 St Giles Councillors are concerned there has been no change since our previous position of supporting the designation and re-incorporation of this MOL into Burgess Park. 

You will recall when we had the previous planning application to build flats and a cafe there we opposed this at that time and called for the integration of the MOL then. 

An issue that arose back then besides relocating the existing business there, was that the land was highly contaminated with chemicals, waste petrol, oil, etc due to various uses over the years. 

On the back of your previous email and on your behalf we have asked for a re-inspection of the site, a valuation of the business and land and the costs of clearing the land of contamination. Obviously these will need to be determined in order to properly budget for the MOL's integration. 

I guess the works involved will also probably take time and once the costs are known we will ask for a generic timetable from start to finish and then we can sensibly plan around it. 

Once we have received the reports above we will happily share them with you.

I hope this satisfies you of our commitment and political will to get the MOL integrated back into the park. 

As ever if you have any other questions then we will do our level best to answer them. 

Kindest regards, 

Cllr Ian Wingfield 
Chair Overview & Scrutiny Committee
Labour Member for St Giles Ward
London Borough of Southwark