Musical instrument / playground

[rhoda38]

Agree, the situation is BAD - intolerable - and the measures taken so far have not worked - proper action needs to be taken asap. We have complained to the council noise pollution line a few times, as this seems to be our only hope of getting them to act fast(er). Mark, thanks for what you have done so far, would it be possible to have Cory's email so we can email him too/give him evidence to support immediate disabling/removal of the equipment. And if you are in contact could you pass on the fact that the current temporary measures aren't working and that this is having a really significant effect on residents' lives?

[Mark]

I sympathise guys, I really do. I live high in Gaumont and have been woken throughout the last 2 nights: I dread to think what it must be like lower down. Corey Defoe, the man in charge of this at the council, can be contacted at [e-mail]. I am going to contact him again myself but I am just one person: We all need to contact him to impress on him just how bad this is: As you say rhoda38 - intolerable.


p.s. As an addendum to the above, here is the email I have just sent off to Corey:

Hi Corey.

Back on the same subject I am afraid Corey, to try and impress on you just how bad the last 2 nights have been. As mentioned before, I live high in Gaumont Tower and had not been overly bothered by the sounds from the playground........ Until this weekend. Throughout the last 2 nights I have been repeatedly woken by groups of revellers down in the Square jumping up and down with all their weight on the amusements to get as much noise as possible out of them. I dread to think how bad it must be for those living lower down. And of course it is not just the thumping, whistling, and chiming: These are bad enough but also encourage cheers and whoops from the revellers when they succeed in a loud note: Intolerable. Something really needs to be done asap. I feel sorry for the kids who waited so long for this and will surely miss it while changes are made, but not enough to sacrifice my sleep every weekend. Also, as I foresaw, soap was added to the fountain last night. Not enough to create enough bubbles for them to be blowing across the Square, but enough to see it has happened.

Regards.

[jvl]

I totally agree, it's only getting worse. I have emailed Cory so many times about this, but he doesn't seem that interested and ignores all emails. Am not very positive about changes coming soon, but well, keeping on the pressure might help.

[jvl]

By the way, I saw a parents unscrewing one of the flute-pumps (for a lack of a better word), so that's back in action. Did report it to Cory, but (as usual) he chose to ignore it.

[tine]

I've also now e-mailed Corey and tweeted a link to this thread through the RA Twitter account.

I would ask anyone who has a moment to e-mail Corey because experience has shown that individual complaints are often ignored while bigger numbers get attention. It's how many Council services operate, including the noise team and the license reviewer, so please, please don't assume that something is being done because others raised it. Even if it's just a quick paragraph, please take the time to support us!

[phild]

Yeah emailed Corey (third time now - never had a reply). I would of thought it's pretty obviously this isn't one or two individuals complaining, every flat facing the square has the problem even if they don't bother contacting Hackney.

I did have a women call me today from Hackney Council about the noise pollution I raised online a while ago. She didn't seem too interested - said it was being looked at but couldn't say if/when they'd remove them. Nice.

If they wait until planning permission for new equipment this will probably be a year away with consultation. Bit of a joke really

[rhoda38]

I think we might put a sign up in the foyer to ask people, if they are bothered by the noise (which I'm sure most are!), to make a noise complaint...

[Mark]

Okay, here is the latest news I have from Corey who I spoke with this morning while Corey was himself wiring the board over the whistle-pedal device (on his hands and knees in suit and tie).

The first thing to say is that Corey is with us on this issue: He understands our frustrations and is trying to get it sorted out as quickly as possible. There are though procedures and red tape to battle through. He has not been replying to all the emails as he simply has not had the time to do so as there have been so many: That doesn't mean he hasn't been on the case. All 3 musical apparatus will be removed: With luck before the weekend, without that luck, early next week (Corey is just waiting on one final email to give him the go-ahead to have the work done). Once these have been removed, temporary measures will be taken to make the holes safe while consultations are made with residents and local parents as to what amusements to put in their place.

I have also spoken with Gerald Bernard this morning who will speak with the night-time concierge team to ask them to speak to revellers who make too much noise out there over the weekend should the removal not happen before then. Please remember though that the Square is a public place under the administration of Hackney Council: Our concierge service have no jurisdiction out there, and if people choose to ignore them, there is nothing they can/must do. It is simply not in their job description to control what is in effect a paved public street

In conclusion then, things are moving along: Just a little more patience please. Perhaps the emails to Corey could stop now as well please, as they cannot speed things along any faster than they are moving (and the rude, attacking ones help nobody incidentally). Take him at his word and give him a chance to deliver. He did warn us it would take time and he has given us no dates before he did not deliver on (see my earlier posts in this thread) so, yeah. Just my 2 cents worth: As a resident (Gaumont).

[lydiaclarkson]

I have emailed Corey as well to let him know that there was a whole string of meetings with residents before the playground was even built also including an organisation called 'Hackney Play'. Previous meetings should be taken into consideration as plenty of ideas have already been given to the council, who at the time, weren't really in listening mood. Funny how these things come back to haunt. I hate to say it - but we told them so.
As soon as anyone gets wind (pardon the pun!) of the start of the consultation with residents, please can they post it, and Mark, I am sure you'll send us all a message.
What a hash up! :-(

[bob]

Hi
For the benefit of those residents who had yet to move into the development, could you please give us an idea of what kind of playground the group had in mind.
Thanks

[ben49]

Hi All

Below is a relevant note from Cory Defoe o subject of playground... He is usually true to his word Ben Collins

Dear Dalston Square Resident

I apologise for the lack of response to emails sent regarding the play feature in Dalston Square over the last week. We agreed that I would provide updates through the Dalston Square Residents Association platform to enable me to keep the residents informed of updates without me responding to every individual email.

I met Timber Play in Dalston Square this morning to discuss alternative play equipment and the process for removing the noise making play elements. Timber Play have agreed to remove the chime and flute items in the first instance and make good the ground until alternatives are selected and installed.

I hope to receive an email today / tomorrow with a schedule for removing the play equipment. I have requested that the removal takes place as soon as possible, preferably this week.

As promised the options for play equipment will be shared with local residents and the final selection will be based your responses.

I will continue to keep you updated once I receive a date for removal.
Kind regards

Cory Defoe
Dalston Town Centre Manager
Regeneration Delivery Team
London Borough of Hackney


*Just for info, Cory sent out this email on Tuesday 10th June - Mark.*

[jrose]

Just a quick note to say that I saw the playground being dismantled this morning. Normally, I would feel a sense of annoyance walking by the musical instruments. Now it was just a sad, gloomy sight to behold. What a waste.

I am thrilled though that this has taken place before the weekend and we don't have to hear any more late night concerts. Thank you to Mark and Ben for all your dealings on this.

[Mark]

I know what you mean jrose: Glad to see the back of the noisy equipment but a little sad to see the Square take a step backwards (unfinished again).

With regard the replacements, this is still to be decided after a public consultation. As soon as I have any details of that I will post them here and on our website at dalston-square.com.

For the time being the holes will be filled and covered in the same rubberised finish as the rest, but, it will be black rather than colour matched: The colour matching will come when the new equipment goes in. The fence is just a temporary measure for the weekend until the workmen get back to do the surfacing next week.