Open Letter Re: Old Fire Station Planning Proposal

For the attention of:
Neighbour of Old Fire Station, Leswin Road N16
Regarding:
Proposed improvements to the building


Fire Station Community Nursery

61 Leswin Road, Stoke Newington, LONDON, N16 7NX
020 7249 3234
info@firestationnursery.org.uk
firestationnursery.org.uk

Dear Neighbour

As you may have heard from Hackney Borough Council, the Old Fire Station recently submitted a planning application for improvements to the building.

If you would like to know more about the proposals, you can:

•download our Design and Access Statement from www.firestationnursery.org.uk/plans

•contact me, Nick Saltmarsh, at the above email or postal address

We'd welcome your views on the proposals - and would also you to let us know how you think the building should be used in the future.

Please send any comments to me at the above email or postal address.

The current proposals

The proposed improvements consist of alterations to the entrance to the building and the erection of a raised playdeck over part of the yard at the rear of the building.

We are hoping to fund these works with capital funding for the Fire Station Community Nursery, which occupies the first floor of the Old Fire Station and will be the primary beneficiary of these improvements.

The benefits will, however, be wider: changes to the entrance will improve the building's appearance and access, removing the concrete ramp access that compromises the building's appearance and imposes on the street. The playdeck will also provide a covered area for vegetable packing by Growing Communities and possible other uses.

The Old Fire Station

The building provides a variety of spaces for hire by the community – see www.oldfirestation.org – and is used on a permanent basis by three community groups: the Fire Station Community Nursery (community-run children’snursery), Growing Communities (community food group) and Anika Patrice (providing support to carers of people with learning difficulties from ethnic minorities).

We would like to extend the current use of the building and hope to secure further funding for improvements and development work. As well as the spaces for hire, there is currently vacant space in the former flat on the 3rd floor (suitable for office use) and in the basement (ideal for use as a youth club or rehearsal space).

Please let us know your thoughts on how the building could be used for the benefit of the local community.

Yours,

Nick Saltmarsh
Treasurer, Fire Station Community Nursery parents’ committee
Director, Old Fire Station

Good quality, affordable education and day-care for children from 13 weeks to 5 years
Fire Station Community Nursery is a registered charity (Fire Station Nursery, charity number 285133)

www.firestationnursery.org.uk/plans