Due to "unforeseeable delays to the Spencer’s planning application"

The Wimbledon & Putney Common Conservators (WPCC) today (4 April) announced that they have negotiated terms for a new licence with the Spencer public house for benches to be placed on Putney Lower Common for the use of both their customers and members of the general public visiting the Common.

For the past seven years The Spencer public house has, under an annual licence with WPCC, placed 22 picnic benches on Putney Lower Common during the summer months.

Given concerns that the benches may not be universally popular, the Board undertook a consultation in October 2017. Over a five week period 1,239 responses were received, 628 on-line and 611 submitted. Of these, 866 people (70%) said they would like to see the benches retained as long term fixture, 329 (26.5%) would like the benches to be retained - but reviewed every 5 years, and 43 (3.5%) would like the benches to be removed

According to their press release: "The benches were due to be put out on the Common on 1st April, as they have been in previous years. However, due to unforeseeable delays to the Spencer’s planning application, it will not be possible for the benches to be put out in April. Subject to the Spencer’s planning application being successful, the benches will be in place in late May."

The benches receive mixed reactions on the forum from members of this website. Supporters include member Craig Fordham posted on the forum: "Neither the benches nor the nursery are based on permanent structures. Neither cause irreparable harm to the Common. Both encourage local people to enjoy the space. Given this, I’m not sure I actually care whether either are commercial activities. If the Spencer’s or the nursery make a profit, good luck to them. If some of this profit comes back to WPCC to reinvest in the upkeep of the Common, so much the better."

Former WPCC Trustee John Cameron, believes that the benches would be unlawful, and responded to this announcement: "The first planning application was withdrawn due to the “false representations” which it included and which were abetted by the WPCC in order to gain a financial advantage. The current application contains numerous material errors which the planning officers are ignoring, including that the land is ‘designated’. While the benches may be enjoyed by some residents there is no escaping the simple fact that they are a commercial beer garden for the pub."

"Creating and renting a beer garden for the Spencer is a very obvious breach of the 1871 Act, on multiple points. The planning officers are obliged to respect the Act, to not do so will be in itself unlawful. The management of the common is governed by the 1871 Act, and the planning officers are obliged to consider the Act when reviewing the application. The 1871 Act is clear; it provides for the Conservators to “keep the commons OPEN, unenclosed and unbuilt on; to prevent ALL encroachments and attempted encroachments on the commons, and PROTECT the commons and preserve them as OPEN spaces, and resist ALL proceedings tending to the inclosure, or appropriation for ANY purpose of ANY part thereof”. The Act states “It shall NOT be lawful for the Conservators, except as in this Act expressed, to sell, lease, grant, or in ANY manner dispose of any part of the commons”

April 4, 2018