Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Emily L. on May 15, 2019 at 17:13

Hi Merry, 

Thanks for returning to this conversation! We still think it's important. I'm wondering where the information comes from on this, since it seems to differ from what I've been told by our leaseholder and also the estate office; also the fact that there are some areas (the communal/green space) with signs that say 'for residents use only' -- which indicates that they are different from the public highways (like a bridleway in the countryside, which means people can walk through freely) that cut through the Estate, which are, and should be, open to the public.

It seems to me that communal areas, which are maintained by the Estate (and residents' fees) should be preserved as spaces for residents: this is a dense residential area, surrounded by office buildings, with little space for residents. They're obviously not public parks: they aren't cared for by the city, locked at night, or surveyed by local security, etc. But people use them as such. For instance, right now there are four men drinking beer, smoking, and yelling outside the emergency exit of the community centre, which is directly outside of our flat. What is our recourse if people from outside of the Estate come here and behave in a disruptive manner? And why are residents of GLE maintaining recreational areas for the public, which sometimes means they can't use them themselves? 

These are valid, important questions, and we would look forward to hearing from anyone who has concrete information or ideas about how this could be addressed. 

Hoping everyone is well and enjoying the lovely weather! 

Best, 

Emily and Brian 

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Permalink Reply by Emily L. on May 16, 2019 at 13:43

We would be very happy to if we knew about any of them! There are no dates posted for meetings in 2019... I assume that in any case GLERA look at the comments on this board and are aware of residents' concerns. 

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Permalink Reply by GLE Website Comms Team on May 19, 2019 at 12:39

Hi Emily

At the last Ward Mote this issue was brought up and a resolution passed:

"It was Resolved that the City of London Corporation commission a study reporting in no more than one year regarding pedestrian flows through the Golden Lane Estate ("GLE") resulting from current and anticipated property developments in the vicinity of the GLE and consult with GLE residents regarding the current "private" status of the GLE as a result of which residents pay for the maintenance of areas of the GLE that are in practice open to the public."

There's a couple of residents trying to organise a 'community conversation' around this topic - just need to confirm date but it should be in June. In the meantime there is a GLERA committee mtg on 28 May and the GLERA AGM on June 11. Both are on the events noticeboard.

You can also contact GLERA direct - their email is on the GLERA page.

You should also report any anti-social behaviour to the estate office. Contact details on Useful Info page. It's really important to turn these incidents into collatable data in order to 'show' there is a problem. This is a clearly an issue that is concerning many of us and there now seems to be a critical mass to get some kind of resolution.

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Permalink Reply by Emily L. on May 20, 2019 at 8:06

Hi GLE Web Comms, 

Thank you so much for this really helpful update. It's great to hear that useful conversations are happening around this, and that we are not the only concerned residents. We'd be happy to join any 'community conversation' that arises. Thank you also for these GLERA dates: I didn't see them on the main page, so it's good to know that I should check under 'Events' instead. I have a work commitment on the 28th, but we hope to attend and hear more on 11 June. 

I have often reported issues to the Estate Office, but they are not very responsive, and it's never clear to me if they are taken seriously or made note of. And of course most anti-social behaviour occurs outside of their working hours, in the evening or at night. It would be interesting to hear how the CLC plants to gather information and observations for their study. 

Thanks again! Best, Emily and Brian 

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Permalink Reply by Tim Godsmark on May 24, 2019 at 14:06

Hi Emily & Brian,

It is a situation that has been annoying people for a long time, especially those living next to the pond and also the lawn at the rear of Hatfield House. The Estate is private in that the open areas are not maintained by the Highways Department and are therefore not public rights of way (except for the ramp down to the sports centre). The walkways in the Barbican are public rights of way and therefore the Barbican residents do not pay for their upkeep..

There are a number of issues that I think need discussing. The first is whether, with increase pedestrian flow from Crossrail, we want the paved areas to be public rights of way or make them more private by creating what would essentially be a gated community. The second is whether we want to control access to the garden areas. The third is how, if we are to reduce access, this will be policed.

I will put it on the agenda at the AGM on the 11th June and it would be great if you could contribute.

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Permalink Reply by Emily L. on June 11, 2019 at 8:30

Hi Tim, 

Thanks so much for this information. I'm glad to hear that others have the same concerns, and hopefully the strength in numbers can contribute to a positive outcome. 

We will come to the AGM tonight (though may not be able to stay the whole time), and look forward to discussing further! 

All best, 

Emily + Brian 

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Permalink Reply by GLE Website Comms Team on June 11, 2019 at 9:31

Hi Emily

There is a community Conversation before the GLERA meeting which is about our open spaces. When you became a member of the site did you sign up to the community newsletter? It was promoted in that along with GLERA AGM.

5-7 pm

http://www.goldenlaneestate.org/events/community-conversation-our-o...

http://www.goldenlaneestate.org/events/glera-annual-general-meeting...

http://www.goldenlaneestate.org/events/residents-drop-in-mock-up-of...

Permalink Reply by Iain Meek on June 11, 2019 at 12:52

Tim/ Chair

Is my proposal for greening the estate and my proposal for GLERA applying to the City Bridge Trust for funding on tonight's agenda?

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Permalink Reply by GLE Website Comms Team on June 13, 2019 at 9:35

Hi Iain

The forums are not the best way to contact TIm - his contact details are on the GLERA page. 

Permalink Reply by nathan on June 3, 2019 at 20:16

I was invited to watch a Tai Chi demonstration at Barbican estate last Saturday I arrived late and couldn't gain access to their private garden as it is kept under lock and key and only residents have keys, it is clearly displayed at the gate that the garden is only for the use of residents and guests. The Barbican Estate has much higher standards and management. The garden looks wonderful and very well kept, very peaceful and pleasant very few people using it, I had never noticed it before. Brought it into sharp contrast the differences between Barbican Estate who have much higher service charges and living on a run-down council estate.
    

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Permalink Reply by Tim Godsmark on June 4, 2019 at 12:15

The Barbican does have higher charges but I understood that this was largely down to the number of lifts, Garchey maintenance and other services like window cleaning. The pay for maintenance of the gardens but not the walkways which are looked after by the highways department. It would be interesting in seeing a breakdown of a Barbican service charge bill to see how much is spent in these areas.

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Permalink Reply by Emily L. on November 2, 2019 at 12:13

Hi Tracy, 

So sorry to hear about these really distressing incidents you have been dealing with! We know exactly how you feel -- we've had a number of difficult situations in the pond area, including as you describe: people filming music videos (drinking, blasting rap music, climbing onto the raised garden areas just outside the ground floor flats, etc.). I really sympathise and the Estate Office and Parkguard should take seriously the impact these kinds of things have on the daily wellbeing, privacy, safety, peace of mind, and etc. of residents. It's particularly upsetting and can cause lasting stress if requests for people to leave the area or to be less noisy and so on end in confrontation, which is sometimes threatening. I think that's a really serious point to be made. 

There was a very interesting and useful 'community conversation' on 24 October about open spaces on the estate. It was clear that many residents have similar experiences and concerns; and that we all hope there's a way to move forward to deal with this in a productive manner. I believe there will be further in the future and I would encourage you to attend and to bring your experiences -- the more voice the better!

All best, 

Emily and Brian

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