Sebastian Mann

London

Local Democracy Reporter at Waltham Forest Echo

Local democracy reporter for Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Havering @WFEcho @BBC. Ex-@LincsLive. "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.”

Articles

Plans approved for eight-storey tower block in Chingford

3 weeks ago | yellowad.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

A block of flats up to eight storeys tall in Chingford has been approved by Waltham Forest Council. The Hickman Avenue tower will comprise 87 homes, 35 of which will be ‘affordable’ housing. It will be split into two parts: an eight-storey block connected to a six-storey block, complete with a rooftop garden. Waltham Forest councillors called it a “sustainable” development, though residents living nearby said it would constitute overdevelopment.
Waltham Forest Council to borrow £20m to partly pay for 64 new social homes

3 weeks ago | yellowad.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Waltham Forest Council will spend almost £29million on buying more than 60 new homes, in a bid to take the pressure off its housing sector. The 64 houses will be turned into temporary accommodation, aimed at residents who are at immediate risk of becoming homeless. The cost of temporary accommodation is one of the biggest strains on the town hall, alongside social care, which led to the council overspending by £17m last year.
Havering to build 18 'modular homes' for at-risk families in bid to save cash

3 weeks ago | yellowad.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Havering Council has approved plans to build 18 temporary homes in Romford on land designated for a major new housing estate. The new homes will be a “practical, short-term” solution to the borough’s housing crisis, the council says. Each unit will cost £200,000 – at a total cost of £3.6million – though they can be relocated up to five times. They can also be stacked up to three storeys’ high.
Plans submitted to convert former Hornchurch ambulance station into homes

3 weeks ago | yellowad.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Plans have been submitted to knock down a former ambulance station in Havering to make way for new homes. Disused buildings at St George’s Hospital in Suttons Lane, Hornchurch, will be torn down under a new scheme proposed by developer Purewal Equity. They plan to build four semi-detached homes, each with four bedrooms.
Burger restaurant can open later despite 'influx of drinkers' concern

4 weeks ago | guardian-series.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

V’s Burgers, in Hale End Road, will now close at midnight on weekdays and at 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. It currently closes at 11pm each night, except for a 10pm finish on Sundays. It will also serve alcohol until 12.30am on weekends – for both seated customers and for patrons to drink off-site. The owners of the restaurant, situated near the Highams Park Tube stop, initially applied to Waltham Forest Council to close at 2.30am each night.
'Now is the time to modernise outdated Romford Library' - £500k wanted for refurb

1 month ago | romfordrecorder.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

The £499,000 grant would be invested into “high-quality, durable design, fixtures, and fittings” in Romford Library. In February, the cash-strapped council controversially voted to close three libraries in a bid to save around £288,000 a year. Romford was one of seven that was kept open.
Off licence's plan for 2am closing time would 'worsen street drinking'

1 month ago | ilfordrecorder.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Vijayakumar Veeramalai, who runs Let’s Go Nicks, in Green Lane, has applied to the council for permission to extend his opening times to 2am, seven days a week. The off-licence currently closes at 11pm on Mondays through Saturdays, and at 10.30pm on Sundays. It opens most days at 8am. The Metropolitan Police’s licensing department has formally objected to the scheme, saying it could worsen problems with street drinking in the area.
Council to bid for £499k improvements for Romford Library

1 month ago | yellowad.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Havering Council is to apply for an Arts England grant of almost half a million pounds to refurbish one of its libraries. The £499,000 grant would be invested into “high-quality, durable design, fixtures, and fittings” in Romford Library. In February, the cash-strapped council controversially voted to close three libraries in a bid to save around £288,000 a year. Romford was one of seven kept open.
Labour's Tony Bell becomes Mayor of Waltham Forest

1 month ago | guardian-series.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Tony Bell, a Labour councillor in the Hale End and Highams Park South ward, was appointed to the top ceremonial role. He succeeded fellow Labour councillor Sharon Waldron, who was nominated for the position last May. The role of borough mayor is largely ceremonial. He will act as Waltham Forest’s first citizen when meeting dignitaries, royals, and other guests in the borough.
Rainham councillor Sue Ospreay chosen as new Mayor of Havering

1 month ago | romfordrecorder.co.uk | Sebastian Mann

Councillor Sue Ospreay, a member of the Havering Residents Association (HRA), was appointed to the role at a meeting last week. She served as deputy mayor to HRA councillor Gerry O’Sullivan, who was appointed over a Labour councillor last year in a controversial election. The mayoralty is a largely ceremonial position. It is the first citizen’s job to chair monthly full council meetings and act as the public face of the town hall.