Three Rivers District Council has designated the Red Cross Centre as a site for future development with 6 dwellings to be built on the land.
This decision will remove a vital, well-used community space, which was built using funds raised directly from Croxley Green residents.
Three Rivers District Council own the land where the Centre is and it is completely their decision to build dwellings there instead. This cannot be allowed to happen.
In 2019 the Parish Council made an offer to take over the Centre to ensure that it remained open and available to Croxley Green residents, community groups and organisations. This has not been accepted.
Croxley Green needs spaces such as this where the community can come together to enable Croxley's great community spirit to thrive and grow.
Three Rivers District Council have not been open and transparent with Croxley Green residents over their plans for the Centre and the decision to mark this site for development is an affront and an insult to our community and must be stopped.
Please sign this petition to help support Croxley Green Parish Council in their efforts to take over the Centre to ensure that it remains open for our community.
Below is an open letter to Croxley Green Councillors from a concerned local resident -
"In the recent local elections, the Croxley Liberal Democrat campaign literature included an explicit pledge that the candidates, and by implication, the party, were committed to ensuring that the Red Cross Centre was preserved for community use. Now, less than three weeks later, we learn that in the draft Three Rivers Local Plan the site has been designated for housing (six dwellings). Given that election pledge I do hope that you and the other Croxley councillors will oppose this.
In the approved Croxley Neighbourhood Plan the Centre is designated for community use – see pages 41/42. According to government guidance this should not be overridden other than in “material circumstances” although these are not defined. There are about 36,000 dwellings in Three Rivers. The government target for new dwellings is, I believe, 620 per year for 15 years i.e. another 9,300 dwellings. In neither context can 6 dwellings be considered “material”.
In 2019 Sarah Bedford, then leader of the Council, said that only 40% - 50% of the target for new dwellings could be met without “harming existing communities”. Sacrificing the Centre for six dwellings is a clear example of such harm.
The Red Cross has been in fundamental breach of the lease covenants, particularly as regards clause 14, for the last fifteen years or so. I know from my own discussions with Red Cross management between 2014 and 2017 that it has no intention of complying with those covenants. It now apparently wishes to terminate the lease early – it has 44 years to run. In those circumstances, I would expect the Red Cross to first effect any repairs necessary to bring the building to an acceptable standard in accordance with clauses 3 and 19 of the lease. Has this been agreed?
For around 40 years until c2005 when the Red Cross started to drastically cut support, the Centre was open six days a week providing a variety of services to the Croxley community, particularly the elderly. It could do so again, though not necessarily limited to the elderly, if under the control of the Parish Council which has offered to take over the building. Why not give the Council the chance?"
Future of the Red Cross Hall
In their recent Focus newsletter local Liberal Democrats claim the building is “dilapidated”. Many people thought the site was no longer being used. However, the Red Cross mobility aids service is still open 5 mornings a week and in the afternoon and evening on Thursdays Chris asked Three Rivers District Council for a view. At […]
Local Plan Update
On 17th October Three Rivers District Council agreed to consult residents on a revised Local Plan. Three Rivers Green Party supports the overall approach and the “Low Growth and Green Belt Restraint” strategy. Chris Mitchell and Narinder Sian abstained in the final vote, because the Liberal Democrats refused to remove the British Red Cross Centre […]
New Green Councillor
The successful candidate Narinder Sian said “A huge thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen. So proud of the whole team @3RivGreenParty, all our volunteers and the wonderful residents who put their trust in us. Looking forward to getting on with the job with Cllr Chris Mitchell”
Canvassing Croxley Green
Another great day of canvassing in Croxley Green. Huge amount of support on the doorstep – fingers crossed for Polling Day on 4th May. Narinder Sian is our candidate in Croxley Green, Dickinsons ward and we wish him luck and success on polling day in his attempt to accompany Chris Mitchell onto the District Council […]
Killingdown Farm Development
The Killingdown farm development, which frankly is not popular in Croxley Green, has caused a lot of heartache and issues for the residents living near the site. Green Cllr Chris Mitchell has been working very hard helping residents with issues and liaising with officers in Three Rivers, who are doing their best to keep planning […]
Caring for Croxley Common Moor
Taking a tea break after a shower of rain Parish councillors, Andrew Gallagher and Narinder Sian, joined the Friends of Croxley Common Moor helping to clear overgrown scrub. The Moor is a precious grassland habitat and without proper management brambles, bushes, and trees can overwhelm it. The Friends welcome volunteers to help with a range […]
A Moving Memorial
Greens joined councillors from all over the county to pay tribute Chris and Narinder attended the Holocaust memorial day organised by the Chair of Three Rivers District Council. The Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE, shared a deeply moving personal story. Thank you to the organisers and speakers.
Gifts for Care Homes
Helping to deliver donated gifts to local care homes For the last 8 years, local resident, Emily Benner has coordinated Christmas gift donations to people in care homes with no loved ones. She has since become a parish councillor and has partnered with local charity Small Acts of Kindness. Chris and Narinder were delighted to support […]
2023 Campaign Launch
The 2023 Campaign launch event held at All Saints’ Church in Croxley Green. Great atmosphere and very positive vibe. Looking forward to the campaign ahead.
Hanging on the line at Three Rivers?
An average eight-minute wait on the district council customer service line before residents get any response could soon be history, after Green councillor Chris Mitchell got unanimous council approval last month for a five-point strategy to improve the service. “Three Rivers is getting a poor reputation for communications from what people tell me,” says Mitchell. […]