Roehampton regeneration

Tonight I went along to the latest public meeting on the potential redevelopment of the centre of the Alton Estate: the area around the top end of Danebury Avenue.

There is broad support for the principle of redeveloping these sites: there are surely very few who would argue that this area represents the best possible quality, use and image of Roehampton. But as with most things in politics, the devil is in the detail.

There are very real concerns across the political divide about the viability of these plans. The last thing that Roehampton needs is another unfulfilled promise: too many have been broken.

Alongside the plans to provide more retail space and more recreational opportunities, the Council also wants to demolish a lot of homes and to replace them with private homes for sale. Needless to say, the residents aren't happy about the prospect of displacement and don't believe they'll ever return to this area once forced out.

657 residents have signed a petition expressing their concerns. The Council must give cast iron guarantees that everyone who lives in homes under threat of demolition and who wants to return to a council-managed property in this redevelopment shall be able to. I give those residents my personal pledge that I stand with them in their campaign.

There is also a desperate need for:

* A bank (and/or a Credit Union) in the area where people can access their cash without paying through the nose for the privilege.
* A new health centre (and, ideally, dentist) for the estate is ideal.
* A more prominent, better staffed Police station.
The Boys Club must be found a new home if it cannot be rehoused where it is now on a rebuilt site
*And while a "blue-riband" retailer like Sainsbury's or Waitrose being brought to the area is a good idea there are real concerns that it shouldn't be too big (parking and access is a major consideration here) and that it shouldn't drive out smaller retailers - one of the nice thing about the existing shops is the diversity of local traders here.

None of this is easy. Unfortunately, Roehampton's councillors promised much but have provided no leadership: only one of them could be bothered to attend tonight. Likewise, Justine Greening seems content to take a backseat in the hope it just comes together through hope alone. If leadership is not provided this project will fail - that much is clear already, as the council is already starting to compromise and auction-off aspects of the plan.

Roehampton has been leaderless for too long. There is a huge potential here. But potential not realised equals neglect. Roehampton has been neglected too long by its Conservative representatives.