Talking Tooting: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

There is so much going on in the Tooting constituency at the moment, and I’ve been working flat out to make sure we come out the other side capitalising on the positives and reducing the negatives. So please read down for some quick updates on a whole host of important issues…

Crossrail 2 Concessions

The Crossrail 2 consultation closed two weeks ago and our successful efforts to get residents responding on the topic were not missed by the Crossrail team! As a result, they have written to me promising to take a second look at both the route of the tunnel and reconsider the positioning of the shafts on Wandsworth Common and Trinity Fields.

You can read more on my website here.

Save the Lodge

The Tooting Lodge is a Georgian Grade II listed building – one that was very beautiful until it got bought by a developer, closed and allowed to deteriorate. Today it is in serious need of repair and I’ve been working for several months with other local residents to force the owner to restore it.

So, I’m delighted to say that following action from the Council the owner is now making repairs. However, I feel this campaign has a long way to run so please visit our website www.SaveTootingLodge.org and sign the petition to show your support.

You can read more in the Wandsworth Guardian article by clicking here.

Dog Track Developments

While I favour regeneration at the site, I am increasingly concerned that the current proposal from Galliard Homes and AFC Wimbledon will be approved by Merton Council without significant changes. For Wandsworth residents, these changes – on parking, transport, school places and other facilities – are crucial. But Merton are in a rush to say yes without these much-needed amendments.

That’s why I have called on the Mayor of London to use his powers to ‘call in’ the development , and thus make the decision in the interest of both Merton AND Wandsworth residents.

You can read my letter to Boris Johnson on my website here.

Grants for Young Entrepreneurs

I am passionate about giving young people the opportunities to succeed in life and have always tried to use my experience as a local businessman to do this.

So I’m delighted to announce that I’ve been able to put together a new grant fund for Tooting charity, Business Launchpad. The fund allows Business Launchpad to give grants of up to several hundred pounds to help disadvantaged young entrepreneurs get their innovative ideas off the ground.

Last year I held a Youth Enterprise Summit in Tooting with local charities and agencies to identify the issues preventing Wandsworth's young people from finding a job or launching a business. Top of the list was the absence of any grant funding to help young people get started - so I'm delighted that with this new grant fund we can make a real difference to the futures of young people in our area.

As ever, please follow me on Facebook or Twitter for more updates on local news and my campaigns.

With best wishes, 

Dan Watkins
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Tooting