LibDems Make a Drama Over Disputed Contribution to Public Art.

4.22.39pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Jun 2009

The LibDem's campaign to get Telfords, the developer of the Queen Mary Gate site, to hand over some of the money it agreed to set aside for "public art" has finally been successful.

Queen Mary's Gate

Telfords had committed to pay £450,000 for "public art" under a "section 106 agreement", part of the planning conditions for building nearly 500 apartments on the site. Originally it wanted to spend this fund within the private gated section of the development on a "water feature". When Cllr Richard Hoskins discovered this he was furious since he believed that it should be invested in a way that all local residents could benefit from any projects coming forward under the agreement.

After raising the issue at the Area 2 Committee he won the unanimous backing of all the members. They agreed that "public art" meant just that - art the public can see and enjoy. Realising the Redbridge Drama Centre in Churchfields qualified for section 106 assistance, we campaigned for Telfords to contribute £100,000 towards its further development.

Queen Mary' Gate - the Water Garden

This has proved to be a popular cause and we received many letters of encouragement from across the borough. The Drama Centre is nationally, indeed internationally recognised for its excellent work. Thousands of local students receive training in both performance and theatre production there each year. A national theatre company is also based at the Centre and it is a facility that is much used by all Redbridge schools. It receives grants from Arts Council England and regularly stages a wide range of both professional and amateur works which are open to the general public.

Redbridge Drama Centre

After negotiations between Council officers and Telfords, the funds will be applied to improve studio theatre space, extend the programme and increase the number of workshops for young persons. The new facilities will be named "The Telfords Suite" in recognition of this contribution.