External Changes
The aim of the proposed works is to increase the use of the grounds and hall
by community groups, and also to give a positive outward, appearance that will
act as an encouragement to those in the Church and the wider
community to work to combat negative behaviour and make the estate a worthwhile
place to live.
1) To take back control of our grounds in order to enhance appearance, and
for the benefit of the neighbourhood.
At the moment our grounds, open to the streets, are used by groups of teenagers,
dog walkers, and cannot be used by children., community groups, or the Church
itself. The grounds are full of litter, refuse and the results of being used as
a dog toilet. The Garden of Remembrance is overgrown, uncared for, and again
used by groups of young people. The car park area is used by prostitutes and as
a meeting area for drug exchange. The bushes, trees and road surface have not
been maintained for several years.
The proposal is to build a low wall right round the grounds, with
decorative railings and a security system for the (newly landscaped) car park.
The green areas would be disinfected, re-sown, and landscaped, some patio spaces
laid, with the Garden of Remembrance made once again into an attractive feature.
There will be gates at appropriate points for controlled access and use by local
groups and organisations. Directly opposite the main green space is a nursery,
which would have regular usage.
We would also be able to use the area ourselves, at times of special Feast Days,
and as part of our input into the annual Leytonstone Festival.
2) To enhance the appearance of the buildings.
The estate has been comprehensively renovated over ten years, with high standard
housing, parks and street furniture and trees. This has left the Church
buildings looking squat closed and forbidding. It is not possible to see into
Church from outside, and visitors are confused about entrances.
The proposal is to repaint to build a 'typical Church porch' enclosing
the existing (largely unused) main doors, to create a veranda concept along the
front (West) exterior wall, and to provide new notice boards. The Garden of
Remembrance area would become a landscaped feature.
Along with the changes to the grounds we intend that these improvements would
be part of the process, in partnership with other organisations, to help make
the estate a positive place where people want to live. For in spite of the
regeneration programme this is still a deprived area in terms of low pay, and
economic opportunities, with worrying problems about the future of young people,
many of whom congregate in intimidating groups in the Church grounds. People in
the neighbourhood are struggling to make the estate a worthwhile place to live,
but there is a knife-edge balancing act all the time, as to whether the estate
will disintegrate or become a vibrant community.
3) To improve and extend the Church hall.
The hall is used four nights in the week, and on Sunday afternoons by local
organisations, as well as by the Church for meetings and social events. It is in
reasonable order, although the kitchen is small.
The proposal is to create a toilet with wheelchair access, to improve
storage areas, and construct a larger kitchen. The north wall will be extended
outwards into the green area to form a coffee bar - this would be for increased
usage inside the hall, but would also have an entrance from the green area for
use by local people and groups. What is now the kitchen and small yard will be
turned into a lounge for private conversation.
4) Reducing anxiety.. increasing security.
All the above works will strengthen security for the buildings, the wall and
railings preventing people climbing on the flat roofs, the car park changes
dealing with issues of unauthorised use, and general security improvement for
the vicarage.
Note : None of the proposals affect the worship area.
PCC 23 May 2004