Petersham Nurseries Triumphs in Planning (From Smallholder)

Petersham Nurseries Triumphs in Planning

12:30pm Wednesday 29th July 2009

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Petersham Nurseries Triumphs at Last The future of Petersham Nurseries was saved on Thursday 23rd July when Richmond Council's Planning Committee voted unanimously in approval of its application to continue to operate as a garden centre with restaurant.

Thursday evening's decision follows a four year battle in which more than 13,635 locals and supporters from further a field joined Petersham Nurseries in its campaign for Permanent Mixed Use as Garden Centre with Restaurant.

The lengthy and costly process began in 1995 when a local newspaper published a letter protesting the existence of the garden centre's catering operation. What began as a complaint against the existence of Petersham Nurseries Café evolved into a major local traffic issue when it was alleged that Petersham Nurseries significantly contributed to traffic and congestion within the borough.

The nursery responded with the development of an enhanced Green Travel Plan which has won praise from independent travel experts and helped to change the way people travel to the nurseries and within the area. Commenting on the Green Travel Plan, Richmond Council officers' concluded that, "the reduction in car trips and increase in sustainable modes is normally achieved through a 5 year implementation of actions...a noticeable achievement to be made within one year".

Travel expert, Diana Bunyan of TBM Consultants added, "I consider the Petersham Nurseries travel plan a best practice example in the field and will be promoting it as such in my work. I would also like to add that we were incredibly pleased to have partnered such a forward thinking business in its development." According to the nurseries' General Manager and travel plan originator, Wendy Fogarty, the success of the travel plan was largely down to the will of its customers, "During the last ten years, many of us have changed what we eat and more recently how we garden - changing the way we travel is our next greatest challenge. We invited our customers to enjoy their journey to us on foot, bicycle, local ferry and public transport and have been overwhelmed by their willingness and goodwill. It just goes to show that positive change is possible when people work towards a common goal, not at odds with one anoth! er. We would also like to thank Richmond Council's officers for their hard work in assessing our case".

Speaking in response to Thursday`s decision, the owners of Petersham Nurseries, Francesco and Gael Boglione said, "We are obviously very pleased with the outcome of tonight's meeting and are enormously grateful to the thousands of locals who have supported our application. When we restored Petersham Nurseries in 2003, we had a simple vision to create a beautiful garden centre in London - a natural space in which people could buy the best quality plants, enjoy a cup of tea, delicious food and a stroll along the Thames. This evening's decision finally acknowledges the benefits that Petersham Nurseries brings to the borough".

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