Councillor Tony Belton’s Battersea, October 2025, Newsletter (# 196)
- Last month, Tom was kind enough to “protest” about the brevity of my August newsletter, because he claimed that he enjoyed my rambling. I hope that I do not disappoint him with this busy version.
- So off to Weymouth on 1st September for a fortnight of editing and writing a/the book. I must be mad to trail such an event as, after all, there must be a hatful of reasons why I don’t get there, including not finding a publisher. But it went quite well in two weeks in Weymouth and the town itself is a delight, squeezed as it is between the harbour and the sea, Portland Bill and Chesil Beach.
- The seafood restaurants and pubs in the town stand comparison with their rivals in Brittany, whilst the Town beach is three or four miles of sand – the type
that’s better for cricket than football – at low tide anyway. It was also George III’s favourite holiday spot, where he was known as a rather amiable “Farmer George” rather than the “tyrant”, who drove the 13 rebellious colonies to declare independence. He had a good taste when it came to choosing seaside resorts within striking distance of London. Great night life, too, for such a small town, not in high season.
- At the beginning of September, the Meadbank Care Home on Parkgate Road was closed for new clients. The home for 80 mature
residents in need of care was originally run, I believe, by the Council or the NHS, but has long since been owned by BUPA. Today, according to its owners, Meadbank has passed its “sell-by” date – the bedrooms are not en-suite. BUPA have put forward plans for a new-build replacement on the same site and these plans have been considered by what is known as a DRP (Design Review Panel). We can expect the submission of a planning application soon.
- On the 11th September, as many will know, a potentially deadly fire was ablaze in Fox House, Maysoule Road. (I was on holiday at the time).
It could have been worse, but both the emergency services and the Council acted quickly, and no one was even injured, but all 37 flats were immediately uninhabitable. The Council placed all residents into temporary accommodation of some kind and by 26th September 29 households had been offered alternative accommodation in SW11. The town hall officers have assured me that the remaining eight households are OK – they have decided to move elsewhere or made independent arrangements – well done, to Council staff, fire brigade and police first respondents.
- A day or two later, a Council employee was stabbed whilst at work on the Rollo Estate. It was a serious injury incident, and he had emergency care – I (and we) do not need to know the details, but I am reliably informed that he is recovering reasonably well, whilst the alleged perpetrator is in protective care and is suffering from some form of mental health disorder.
- Trees, trees, trees: you’d be surprised how much correspondence councillors get about trees. Do cut them down, don’t cut them down, prune them, don’t touch
them, you planted the wrong ones, they are too big, too small – every complaint under the sun. Why am I telling you this? – because on 16th September I got the following notice in a council email. “I am writing to inform you of the planned removal of 17 highway trees (street trees) across the Battersea Park and St Mary’s wards. These removals are part of our routine maintenance programme and are necessary due to the defective condition of the trees, which pose an unacceptable risk of damage or injury in the event of failure. Felling notices have been placed on all affected street trees, with a scheduled start date for removal of 29 September 2025. The following roads all have one or two trees that will be replaced:-
In Battersea Park Ward: Beechmore Road, Juer Street, Reform Street, Rosenau Crescent, Thames Walk, and,
In St Mary’s Ward: Morgans Walk, Inworth Street, Stanmer Street, Ursula Street, and Simpson Street.
So, if your favourite tree is cut down – one outside my house was removed much to my anguish – remember that there is a reason and it will be replaced – mine, on the right, has been!
- On the 18th September a lorry-driver drove into and demolished Battersea Park’s Albert Gate. It was built in 1881 and formed a small but essential part of the splendour of the Park. You will be pleased to know that work has already begun on its restoration.
- The Labour Group, councillors and candidates for next May’s Borough Election, had an AwayDay on 20th It was exactly what it should be – friendly, inclusive, stimulating and fun. Whatever the political mood is elsewhere, and one can hardly pretend that it is good – right here in Wandsworth, Labour faces next year in buoyant mood, and with an excellent slate of candidates.
- Does LBOC mean anything to you? No, what about London Borough Of Culture or LBOC? I have been to a couple of events featuring in LBOC but not as many as I would have wished. There have been a few sceptics round and about the event, and I have my own minor criticisms. But overall, I think it has already been a great success and will continue to be so through to its end in April, next year. Do try and to take in a few events if you have not yet done so. The year runs through until April next year – we are at the halfway point – give it a go.
- Battersea Bridge has been a real pain for anyone trying to get over it, or even near it for some months. The work has been
aimed to improve safety at the junctions on both sides of the bridge. It has also affected Albert Bridge of course, and much else besides. But now, I am told that at long last we are in the final stages of the work. The road is going to be completely re-surfaced overnights – the road will need to be closed at night during much of October. But by November, Battersea Bridge Road, Parkgate Road and Elcho Street should all be done and dusted. Hopefully we will have a safer and better environment – remember: this is all being done after a fatal accident. The details of the works are far too complex to list here but if you are concerned look up – https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/battersea-bridge-safety
- I attended the Transport Committee on 18th The main items on the agenda were Wandsworth’s installation of EV (electric vehicle) charging points and the introduction of “school streets.” The borough is in the top four of London boroughs in terms of EV installations, along with Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham and Southwark. We have also installed school streets for every school that has demonstrated a positive interest. These are, however, demand-led services so if you are aware of a major shortage of EV installations or you want a school street near you, then let me know and I will try and get support for you.
- In August, I talked about giving permission for the development
of the derelict site at the corner of Culvert and Battersea Park Roads – and in Dagnall Street. At the time, I said that at last, the kids at Harris Academy will have a decent gym/sports hall. Well, on 24th September I visited the site and here I am on the roof of the gym building, which will include changing facilities, and two new class – note, the field of photovoltaic cells on adjoining parts of the school. The aim is to complete this building by May 2026, and to have the main site re-developed by spring, 2028.
- I chaired Wandsworth’s Planning Applications Committee on 25th Frankly, this was not the most significant month in terms of big or particularly major applications – the largest, in Battersea, was permission to expand Thomas’s School’s school role from 660 to 690 – so, I will just take this opportunity to note that the committee has this year been watched online by some 1500 Wandsworth residents. Judge for yourself whether the cost of giving people the ability (and right?) to see decisions being made about life in their streets is justified or not at that level of participation.
- On 26th September, I attended a memorial service to Timothy West,
on behalf of Battersea Labour Party – Tim lived in Battersea. The service was held in St. James’s Church, Piccadilly. Tim as well as being a great actor – he played Churchill twice, Stalin, Edward VII, King Lear, and many other roles – was, with his wife, Prunella Scales – a major contributor to Battersea Labour Party funds. The service was attended by many well-known actors, who gave everything in what was quite a performance – from the singing, no shy rendition of hymns here, and lessons read, from the personal memories to the couple of scenes from Tim’s own plays enacted by his family and friends. Tim, great actor, great friend of BLP, RIP.
- I don’t know about you, but I had to watch the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final on 27th September – wasn’t it brilliant, especially in the first-half – it had too many scrums, mauls and indecipherable rules in the second half, but that’s rugby. What with that and the Lionesses triumph at Wembley – and the crowd behaviour – the feminisation of sport – or of the crowds – has been a great bonus, especially when contrasted with the scenes from the USA during the Ryder Cup. But three great triumphs for British team sport – with a considerable helping of European input.
My October Programme
- Battersea Labour Party’s Junction Jazz night is on 5th October – always a splendidly pleasant and informal evening.
- On 9th, I have lunch with old colleagues who worked with me in the GLC – now 36 years ago and in the evening the Finance Committee.
- I intend to attend the Older People’s Forum at St. Peter’s Church on 14th October.
- On 22nd October I will attend the memorial service to David Lipsey and later that day a Council Meeting.
- I have the Planning Applications Committee (PAC) on the 23rd,
- The PAC, that I chair, gave permission for a large industrial and office complex in Lydden Road, Tooting – immediately off Garratt Lane. On the 24th October it is being officially opened and I, and the ward councillors, have been invited to its opening. I look forward to seeing how it has turned out.
Did you know?
Last month I asked whether anyone could add details about any names on the Dodd? What was Park Court South called before it was sold off by the council. Why Voltaire Court? Or Turpin House? Why Charlotte Despard and Francis Chichester? But I got not one reply! Ah, well, here are a couple of answers:
Park Court South was previously named Jay Court after long-serving Labour Cabinet minister and Battersea MP, Douglas Jay 1946-73, but the private owners did not want it named after a Labour politician!
Francis Chichester was a famous Devonian, who became the first person to sail solo around the world, arriving back in Plymouth on 27 August 1966 just as the Doddington Estate was first being planned.
And this month?
What fragrant flower grew wild, and was cultivated commercially, in Battersea, before full urbanisation? But still left its name to SW11.
Tony Belton
Tony Belton 