Three successive lockdowns have embedded all Londoners in their local communities and, in most cases, have reinforced connection and gratitude amongst local residents. Our localities have now become places for all aspects of our lives – for living, working, learning and loving. Amidst this collective reset we’ve uncovered the unsung heroes who are helping to connect, adapt and develop our local communities in a fast-changing world.
The Mortlake Brewery Community Group (MBCG) is one such unsung hero –a group of volunteers which, for over 10 years, has sought to put the heart back into Mortlake following the closure of its major employer and cultural icon, the Stag Brewery.
Its commitment to build local consensus and support for an inclusive and sustainable development now risks being undermined by a GLA planning intervention that pushes beyond-policy level housing density at the expense of all other considerations including air quality, transport, public health and the creation of a cohesive community –something starkly felt by local residents reunited through lockdowns. Like many localities in London, Mortlake does not have a seat at the table where its future is being decided.
We’ve had enough of top-down planning and believe it’s time that we – and the many other local campaigns and community groups across London that are struggling with the same challenges – are listened to and our visions for our local futures respected and integrated into planning, transport and other developmental decisions.
We want to connect London communities and campaigns that want a seat at the table through the #ListentoLocals movement, and to actively campaign for active local representation in:
- GLA policy and planning decisions
- Local Authority planning decisions
- Transport planning decisions
- Infrastructure task force recommendations
Our initial objective is to get localism and placemaking on the agenda for the forthcoming mayoral and GLA elections.